Buried into yesterday's New York Times Science section is a report that NASA Commander Scott Kelly, who is scheduled to lead Space Shuttle Mission STS-118 to the International Space Station today, contacted several newspapers to tell them that reports of astronauts being drunk on flying missions were exaggerated. In fact, the NY Times article says the reports were merely anecdotes received by the investigative panel, which never confirmed the claims of astronaut drunkeness within 12 hours of launch. NASA is reportedly investigating the claims. “To see a minor part of the report exaggerated and misrepresented was extremely disappointing,” Commander Kelly wrote. “We fully understand our responsibility to this country.”

Related:

• NASA Findings of Astronaut Health Reviews
• NASA Space Shuttle Mission STS-118 (Official Site with video links)
• NASA STS-118 prelaunch webcast video
• CNN launch coverage / CNN video