NASA to launch safety review of SpaceX and Boeing after video of Elon Musk...

[cebri]

Lol. I mean how you can take NASA seriously after they are totally OK with a rocket that almost killed two astronauts a month ago and call "partner" to an Agency whos leader has accused their astronauts of making holes in the Soyuz.

Anyway what Musk did was stupid and we knew it was going to provide fuel to the wrong people. And now here it is, I wonder if this will delay DM-1 further.

Also if I were a SpaceX employee right now I'll be enraged, they are just putting in doubt their professionalism and safety culture when DOZENS of NASA employees have been working with SpaceX side by side since the beginning on the program and their processes have gone through deep review by NASA. This is beyond stupid, NASA should already know if there is a safety problem in SpaceX, if they don't know they are just useless at their job.   

edited for spelling

[Brovane]

Word on Twitter is that NASA has ordered a full safety audit of SpaceX & Boeing Commercial Crew.  Employees to be interviewed in detail. 
Here it is...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/11/20/nasa-launch-safety-review-spacex-boeing-after-video-elon-musk-smoking-pot-rankled-agency-leaders/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.48cea0b083e1

NASA has ordered a safety review of the two companies it has hired to fly astronauts to the International Space Station, a months-long assessment that would involve hundreds of interviews designed to evaluate the culture of the workplaces, the agency said.

"NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs declined to comment on what prompted the review. But in a statement, he said it would “ensure the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment.”

Sounds like technicals issues aren't slowing down the program so it's on to "cultural issues" under the guise of safety.

According to the article it looks like the podcast interview is coming back around again for another round.  Just when you thought it was safe and all the Musk's controversies had gone quiet. 

The review was prompted by the recent behavior of SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk, according to three officials with knowledge of the probe, after he took a hit of marijuana and sipped whiskey on a podcast streamed on the Internet. That rankled some at NASA’s highest levels and prompted the agency to take a close look at the culture of the companies, the people said.

[whitelancer64]

Word on Twitter is that NASA has ordered a full safety audit of SpaceX & Boeing Commercial Crew.  Employees to be interviewed in detail. 
Here it is...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/11/20/nasa-launch-safety-review-spacex-boeing-after-video-elon-musk-smoking-pot-rankled-agency-leaders/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.48cea0b083e1

NASA has ordered a safety review of the two companies it has hired to fly astronauts to the International Space Station, a months-long assessment that would involve hundreds of interviews designed to evaluate the culture of the workplaces, the agency said.

"NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs declined to comment on what prompted the review. But in a statement, he said it would “ensure the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment.”

Sounds like technicals issues aren't slowing down the program so it's on to "cultural issues" under the guise of safety.

I don't see where NASA is saying that they will not launch until this review of the safety culture is completed??

[whitelancer64]

Wow. Did not see that coming. The reports about AF being concerned about that video seemed like BS at the time but here we have on the record comments from NASA leadership.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/11/20/nasa-launch-safety-review-spacex-boeing-after-video-elon-musk-smoking-pot-rankled-agency-leaders/?utm_term=.aae783e7ec8a

Gerstenmaier said the review would focus not on the technical details of developing rockets and spacecraft but rather the companies’ safety culture — encompassing the number of hours employees work, drug policies, leadership and management styles, whether employees’ safety concerns are taken seriously, and more.
So it's for both Boeing and SpaceX, and it's a review of the safety culture in both companies. I think that's not a bad thing at all.

Also, I don't think this is a new thing. Elon's behavior may be the straw(s) that broke the camel's back, but both had findings in their last ISO 9001 audits that could indicate a poor safety culture.

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

He's absolutely right.

[whitelancer64]

The absurdities are without end.

Spacecraft with a hole? Eh, ok.

Spacecraft launch _fails_? We trust our partner.

New spacecraft systems in design for _years_ with deep insight at every step of the process, but the CEO of one company after working 99% of his time at a totally different company tastes MJ and hates it?

STOP THE PRESS, DEEP DIVE, HALT HALT.

Really. Really?!

I don't see where it says that NASA is halting all launches until this is completed???

[whitelancer64]

So let me get this straight.....

All it takes for NASA is to see someone doing something legal (state anyways) on there own/off the clock personal time....and the company they own needs to be reviewed??  And other companies that have nothing to do with that get reviewed too...because???

NASA....We are all well aware of how risk adverse you are.  You don't need to find new ways to show it....sheesh.....

I wonder if this will make NASA require all contracted companies to drug test all company members........

I don't think this is a new thing. Elon's behavior may be the straw(s) that broke the camel's back, but both Boeing and SpaceX had findings in their last ISO 9001 audits that could indicate a poor safety culture.

[programmerdan]

The absurdities are without end.

Spacecraft with a hole? Eh, ok.

Spacecraft launch _fails_? We trust our partner.

New spacecraft systems in design for _years_ with deep insight at every step of the process, but the CEO of one company after working 99% of his time at a totally different company tastes MJ and hates it?

STOP THE PRESS, DEEP DIVE, HALT HALT.

Really. Really?!

I don't see where it says that NASA is halting all launches until this is completed???

I don't see how you would impugn the safety / work culture at your contractors and _not_ halt crewed flights until complete.

Uncrewed are probably still fine, though.

Yes, strictly speaking reading between the lines... but the space is pretty wide, and imho pretty obvious.

[mlindner]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

[mlindner]

If we had all 400,000 NASA, primes and sub personnel tested with this mindset back in the 60's we would have never landed on the Moon... If you were around in those times you know what I mean...

The computers were done partially by people from Berkeley, in the 60s. Berkeley, in the 60s. Pot was the least of the drugs available there.

[whitelancer64]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

Can you show me where it says they are not going to let Boeing and SpaceX launch?

[mlindner]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

Can you show me where it says they are not going to let Boeing and SpaceX launch?

You think a hand interview of hundreds to thousands of employees and the associated review of their comments won't take time? Several employees will remember the odd incident (no work place is perfect) and then NASA will use that as a card to play to delay the missions further.

[ulm_atms]

So let me get this straight.....

All it takes for NASA is to see someone doing something legal (state anyways) on there own/off the clock personal time....and the company they own needs to be reviewed??  And other companies that have nothing to do with that get reviewed too...because???

NASA....We are all well aware of how risk adverse you are.  You don't need to find new ways to show it....sheesh.....

I wonder if this will make NASA require all contracted companies to drug test all company members........

I don't think this is a new thing. Elon's behavior may be the straw(s) that broke the camel's back, but both Boeing and SpaceX had findings in their last ISO 9001 audits that could indicate a poor safety culture.

I have never seen any company at SpaceX size or larger have a clean audit for safety.  There is always something/somewhere with that many employees.  What's NASA's safety audit look like?

My gripe was with Elon's off the clock/personal time thing being the "trigger"....

If they have to use that for a reason to launch a safety review of his company and other companies that have nothing to due with him....something smells fishy and feels like a behind the scenes type action from other individuals not happy with things.

[whitelancer64]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

Can you show me where it says they are not going to let Boeing and SpaceX launch?

You think a hand interview of hundreds to thousands of employees and the associated review of their comments won't take time? Several employees will remember the odd incident (no work place is perfect) and then NASA will use that as a card to play to delay the missions further.

Of course it will take time to complete the review.

Show me where NASA is saying they are going to halt all Boeing and SpaceX launches until the review is complete.

[Lars-J]

This is either:
A) one hand of NASA (the ASAP+SLS/Orion crowd) not coordinating with the other, or
B) NASA taking self-sabotage to the next level.

Whatever it is, it needs to stop. NASA has had deep insight into both programs for a long time, and should be well aware of the safety culture and what (if any) should be changed YEARS ago.

Finally, NASA and safety culture. Talk about shooting in a glass house. Pot, kettle, black. Take your euphemism pick.

[mlindner]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

Can you show me where it says they are not going to let Boeing and SpaceX launch?

You think a hand interview of hundreds to thousands of employees and the associated review of their comments won't take time? Several employees will remember the odd incident (no work place is perfect) and then NASA will use that as a card to play to delay the missions further.

Of course it will take time to complete the review.

Show me where NASA is saying they are going to halt all Boeing and SpaceX launches until the review is complete.

Why would they not? They're doing a "safety review" are they not? Are they going to launch "unsafe vehicles" with crew on board?

[whitelancer64]

NASA is being frakking (ucking) shameful.

Russia drills holes in it's spacecraft and knocks them over with a crane but you declare them safe and good to launch. Elon Musk takes one and only one half-puff of some marijuana (while discussing how much he dislikes it) while off work and you declare SpaceX unsafe after dozens and dozens of safe launches.

NASA do your job and sign the paperwork and let SpaceX launch. Stop being an impediment and ruining this nation's space program.

Can you show me where it says they are not going to let Boeing and SpaceX launch?

You think a hand interview of hundreds to thousands of employees and the associated review of their comments won't take time? Several employees will remember the odd incident (no work place is perfect) and then NASA will use that as a card to play to delay the missions further.

Of course it will take time to complete the review.

Show me where NASA is saying they are going to halt all Boeing and SpaceX launches until the review is complete.

Why would they not? They're doing a "safety review" are they not? Are they going to launch "unsafe vehicles" with crew on board?

Show me where they said the vehicles are unsafe. They don't.

They specifically said this is NOT a review of the vehicles.

"Gerstenmaier said the review would focus not on the technical details of developing rockets and spacecraft but rather the companies’ safety culture — encompassing the number of hours employees work, drug policies, leadership and management styles, whether employees’ safety concerns are taken seriously, and more."

[kessdawg]

Where were these concerns when NASA granted SpaceX the ability to fly category 3 payloads last week?

[programmerdan]

...

Show me where they said the vehicles are unsafe. They don't.

They specifically said this is NOT a review of the vehicles.

...

I don't share your optimism. If you have concerns about the people building the vehicles, you probably suspect something they are doing impacts the vehicle's safety. You don't have to come out and say it. The goal of a fishing expedition is to find fish, and if you're looking for safety problems, where are you going to find them?

[ThereIWas3]

And of course they are going to investigate all the people who drink alcohol too, right?  Including NASA employees?

[oiorionsbelt]

  "Gerstenmaier said the review would focus not on the technical details of developing rockets and spacecraft but rather the companies’ safety culture — encompassing the number of hours employees work, drug policies, leadership and management styles, whether employees’ safety concerns are taken seriously, and more."

As if NASA doesn't need the exact same review.