Nasa probes ‘drug-free’ policies at SpaceX, Boeing

WASHINGTON: The US space agency has ordered a sweeping safety review of operations and workplace culture, including drugfree policies, at Boeing and SpaceX, two companies working to send astronauts to space, US media said.

The review was “prompted by the recent behaviour of SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk, according to three officials with knowledge of the probe, after he took a hit of mar- ijuana and sipped whiskey on a podcast streamed on the Internet,” said the Washington Post, which first reported on the story.

Nasa declined to comment on the allegations, but confirmed the review would start next year as the agency focuses “on safe and successful commercial crew missions” to the International Space Station.

“In the coming months, prior to the crew test flights of Crew Dragon and Starliner, Nasa will be conducting a cultural assessment study in coordination with our commercial partners to ensure the companies are meeting Nasa’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drugfree environment,” said the Nasa statement.

“We fully expect our commercial partners to meet all workplace safety requirements in the execution of our missions and the services they provide the American people. As always, Nasa will ensure they do so.”

Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla Motors, has faced increased scrutiny over his volatile behaviour, including smoking marijuana during a podcast interview earlier this year and assailing a man involved in the Thailand cave rescue as a “paedo guy”. — AFP