NASA launches safety review of SpaceX after Elon Musk smoked weed

Elon Musk smokes weed on
Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Joe Rogan
Experience/YouTube

• NASA will launch a safety review of SpaceX and Boeing,
  who it has contracted to fly astronauts to the International
  Space Station,
  The Washington Post reports.
• Three officials familiar with the probe told the Post
  it was prompted by Elon Musk’s behaviour on the “Joe Rogan
  Experience” podcast, in which he smoked weed and sipped
  whisky.
• A NASA administrator said he has confidence in SpaceX’s team,
  but added: “Culture and leadership start at the top.”

NASA has ordered a safety review of two of its contracted
companies, SpaceX and Boeing, after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk smoked
weed live on the internet,
The Washington Post reports.

The probe will begin next year, and examine “everything and
anything that could impact safety.” Three NASA officials told the
Post that it was prompted by Elon Musk
smoking weed and drinking whisky on the “Joe Rogan Experience”
podcast in September.

Musk’s behavior reportedly concerned senior staff at NASA, who
then felt it necessary to scrutinise the corporate culture at its
contracted companies.

A NASA spokesman declined to comment on why it decided to launch
the review, when approached by The Post, but said it will “ensure
the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace
safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment.”

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told The Post that it’s
important the public has confidence in the companies NASA
contracts as suppliers, especially since both SpaceX and Boeing
are gearing up for their first flights with astronauts onboard.

“If I see something that’s inappropriate, the key concern to me
is what is the culture that led to that inappropriateness and is
NASA involved in that… As an agency we’re not just leading
ourselves, but our contractors, as well. We need to show the
American public that when we put an astronaut on a rocket,
they’ll be safe,” he said.

Read more: Elon Musk was filmed smoking weed
just weeks after saying marijuana kills productivity

Bridenstine said he has confidence in the SpaceX team, but added:
“Culture and leadership start at the top. Anything that would
result in some questioning the culture of safety, we need to fix
immediately.”

In a statement, SpaceX told The Post: “Human spaceflight is the
core mission of our company. There is nothing more important to
SpaceX than this endeavor, and we take seriously the
responsibility that NASA has entrusted in us to safely and
reliably carry American astronauts to and from the International
Space Station.”

SpaceX added that it “actively promotes workplace safety, and we
are confident that our comprehensive drug-free workforce and
workplace programs exceed all applicable contractual
requirements.”

Boeing also issued a statement following the report, highlighting
its commitment to “integrity, safety and quality of our products,
our people and their work environment.” It added: “As NASA’s
trusted partner since the beginning of human spaceflight, we
share the same values and are committed to continuing our legacy
of trust, openness and mission success.”

Business Insider contacted NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing for comment.

Get the latest Boeing stock price here.