[FPSPACE] Yuri's Morning After

[Brian Dunbar]

E.P. Grondine wrote:
> Hi -
> 
> Since no one seemed to respond to "Cosmonaut Divorces", let's see if this 
> rings a bell.
> 
> Yuri Gagrin flew his plane into the ground while he was hung over.

Was the 'hung over' state a contributing factor in the accident?

> 
> What I am wondering, is there a pattern here? Are the systems so complex, 
> the training so difficult, that it often leads to problems?
> 
> Is Lisa Nowak really that much of an exception? Is it possible that NASA 
> broke her?

Probably - but she might have gone off the rails if she'd stayed in the
Navy or been an accountant.  Note the hundreds of people in the
astronaut office who don't go off the rails.

Side note - how DO people stand that situation?  Work your entire life
to a goal and then spend your day .. training.  Doing paperwork.
Waiting for years to fly, if at all.

> 
> Have I ever mentioned before how much I detest the space cases running 
> around Canada in canvas suits with trashcans stuck over their heads 
> pretending that its Mars?

They're doing something at least.  Beats sitting at home and watching
'American Idol'.

-- 
Brian Dunbar
System Administrator
Liftport - The Space Elevator Company

brian.dunbar at liftport.com
aim: bdunbar1967

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Meaningful Work or Death.
Any other form of existence doesn't interest me.

Hugh Macleod