Elon Musk video triggers NASA safety review of SpaceX and Boeing

After a video showing SpaceX CEO Elon Musk smoking marijuana and drinking whiskey surfaced online, NASA has taken steps to order a series of workplace safety reviews not only at SpaceX, but also its competitor, Boeing.

Both companies are developing spaceships to transport its astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

The Washington Post first reported the safety review, which will involve site inspections and numerous interviews.

It also quoted unnamed sources highlighting that the safety review was triggered by Musk’s recent behavior on a webcast, where he was seen smoking a marijuana joint along with the talk-show host.

That incident has reportedly rattled some NASA officials, who demanded a workplace review at SpaceX and Boeing. They require all federal agencies to be free of drug and alcohol.

“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,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told The Washington Post.

“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.”

NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance will lead the safety review, as it looks after compliance with NASA’s workplace policies.

Boeing said it was confident NASA would positively evaluate its workplace culture:

“The culture at Boeing ensures the integrity, safety and quality of our products, our people and their work environment.”

SpaceX expressed a similarly optimistic view, saying in a statement, “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.”