[Charles Martel]

Meanwhile, the captives have been hit with an alcohol and tobacco ban by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) experts helping the rescue.

I must've missed something here. Why are NASA physicians helping the Chilean miners? I don't necessarily object (unless it's part of that Muslim outreach thing), but this just isn't making any sense to me. Maybe another cup of coffee will help...

[Joe 6-pack]

"I must've missed something here. Why are NASA physicians helping the Chilean miners?...this just isn't making any sense to me."

If you have that coffee it will make a lot of sense. Early on, I heard that NASA was quite interested in this situation since it would be an opportunity to study the effects of long term isolation.

[longtermmemmory]

Nasa has experience with crews in isolated spaces.

They also know about feeding and nutrition.

Think failure is not an option.

[BitterKlingon]

Why are NASA physicians helping the Chilean miners?

1. A bit of assistance to a friendly country during a high-profile situation is generally good politics.

2. NASA has an obvious interest in studying how to keep people alive and sane when they're cooped up in close quarters in an extended crisis situation.

[Rummyfan]

Must have something to do with NASA’s experience with people confined to small spaces for extended periods of time.....

[muawiyah]

Buncha guys; tight quarters; weeks in space; all same thing. NASA has some experts.

Now the Russians always sent up just ONE GUY for these really long time visits. There may be a reason they did that.