NASA will examine workplace safety at SpaceX and Boeing as Elon Musk smoked marijuana

NASA will conduct in-depth safety reviews at two of its major business partners, SpaceX and Boeing, at the request of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The two companies are currently developing a spacecraft allowing NASA astronauts to travel to the International Space Station.

The exams are expected to last for months and will require hundreds of interviews, depending on the Washington Postwho first reported the news. It is unclear whether the investigations will delay the first launches of the company's vehicles, which are expected to take place next year.

NASA apparently decided to make the criticism after Musk smoked marijuana on Joe Rogan's podcast in September, the source said. the Washington Post. The event sparked controversy and many headlines at the time, though the podcast was recorded in California, where marijuana for recreational purposes is legal. The problem is that while recreational use of marijuana is legal in 10 states, including California, it is still verbatim at the federal level. SpaceX is an essential launch supplier for NASA and the US Army. Both of these government entities prohibit or discourage the use of drugs for recreational purposes.

"NASA will conduct a cultural assessment study in coordination with its business partners to ensure that companies comply with NASA's requirements for workplace safety, including environmental compliance." without drugs, "said a spokesman for NASA in a statement. The edge. "We expect our business partners to meet all workplace safety requirements when carrying out our assignments and the services they provide to the American people. As always, NASA will do it. "

NASA's Jim Bridenstine said the tests would help NASA make sure its astronauts are as safe as possible. "If I see something inappropriate, the main concern for me is what is the culture that has led to this inopportunity and what NASA is involved in," said Bridenstine the Washington Post. "As an agency, we do not just lead ourselves, we also lead our entrepreneurs. We must show the American public that when we place an astronaut on a rocket, it will be safe. "Mr. Bridenstine also said that "the culture and leadership of a company started at the top."

SpaceX and Boeing are key contractors for NASA. Boeing was the main manufacturer of the International Space Station. The company is currently building NASA's next space rocket, the Space Launch System. For its part, SpaceX is responsible for the regular launch of cargo to the ISS, and the company has recently been certified by NASA for the launch of the most expensive and complex scientific missions of the agency. In 2014, NASA selected both companies as finalists in the Commercial Crew Program, an initiative to launch NASA astronauts on US private vehicles. Since the end of the space shuttle program, NASA had to rely on the Russian Soyuz rocket to bring its astronauts into space – an agreement that costs the space agency more than $ 80 million per seat.

This month, SpaceX planned to perform the first unprepared test flight of its vehicle, the Crew Dragon, as early as January 2019. If successful, this flight would then be followed by a launch. Crew test, currently scheduled for June 2019. With respect to Boeing, the company is targeting March 2019 for an unprepared test flight of its vehicle, the CST-100 Starliner, and for a crew flight in August 2019.

The commercial crew program has suffered many delays before today, as well as safety concerns from industry experts. Some have expressed concerns about SpaceX's plan to fuel its rockets with people on board – a procedure that experts consider unsafe. And recently, Boeing had a fuel leak during a test that hampered the development of its Starliner. In addition, several Government Accountability Office audits questioned the program's target dates, arguing that they were too aggressive. Now, it is even more uncertain whether the next dates will be respected. The edge asked NASA if the exams would delay launch dates, but the agency declined to comment.

Both companies claim that safety is their number one priority. "Manned spaceflight is the main mission of our society," SpaceX said in a statement. "SpaceX is nothing more important than this company, and we take seriously the responsibility that NASA has given us to safely and reliably transport American astronauts to and from the International Space Station." The company has also added: "SpaceX is actively promoting the workplace safety and we are confident that our full staffing and drug-free workplace programs exceed all applicable contract requirements. "

Boeing, which promotes a workplace free of alcohol and drugs, also said: "Boeing's culture ensures the integrity, safety and quality of our products, people and work environment," said Boeing. "As NASA's trusted partner since the beginning of manned spaceflight, we share the same values ​​and we are committed to continuing our legacy of trust, openness and mission success."