Elon Musk's podcast pot use prompts 'invasive' NASA safety review

The space agency apparently believes nobody in the entire industry should be allowed to use any type of drug.

NASA is reportedly preparing to launch an extensive safety review of SpaceX and Boeing, prompted by Elon Musk's public use of marijuana on a Joe Rogan podcast.

Few would argue that Musk's couple of tokes represent a threat to future astronauts, but NASA apparently views the debacle as evidence that SpaceX's entire safety culture may be broken. Boeing will also experience the same review, presumably to provide the illusion of objectivity.

NASA will conduct hundreds of interviews to explore "everything and anything that could impact safety" at both SpaceX and Boeing, NASA's associate administrator for human exploration, William Gerstenmaier, told The Washington Post.

Notably, NASA does not appear to have pursued any similar measures in vetting the Russian firms that build the Soyuz rockets that have lofted American astronauts to space since the Space Shuttle was retired.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine seems to admit that the inquiry is more about aesthetics than actual safety concerns, voicing "a lot of confidence" in the SpaceX team arguing that the agency needs to intervene if the company gives the impression of a casual safety culture.

"Anything that would result in some questioning the culture of safety, we need to fix immediately," he said.

SpaceX responded with a statement highlighting its workplace safety and promising that the responsibility of carrying American astronauts to and from the International Space Station is not taken lightly.

"We are confident that our comprehensive drug-free workforce and workplace programs exceed all applicable contractual requirements," the company added.