NASA has ordered an exhaustive safety review of Hawthorne-based SpaceX and Boeing, the two companies it has contracted with to fly astronauts to the International Space Station, possibly in response to recent behavior by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, it was reported Tuesday.
William Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for human exploration, told The Washington Post the review will begin next year and examine “everything and anything that could impact safety.”
The paper, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the probe, reported the review was prompted by Musk, who appeared to be smoking marijuana and sipping whiskey during a recent podcast streamed online. NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs would not comment to the paper about the reason for the review, but said it will “ensure the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment.”
The massive ride-share launch by SpaceX out of Vandenburg has had multiple delays both stated as being for additional inspections and for weather. Just now it is slated to launch about 4 hours from now.
A barge is in position for a landing not very far away from the launch site. Apparently the big boys did not want the returning rocket to overfly a national security payload launch in preparation elsewhere at Vandenburg. In a bonus I did not expect, Mr. Steven is downrange in position for the next try at snagging a fairing half by net.
This SSO-A mission launch window opens at 10:32 a.m. PST, 18:32 UTC, December 3, 2018.
Meanwhile, a SpaceX launch of a Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station (mission CRS-16) is currently scheduled for about a day later on the other coast of the country. That one intends to land the first stage back at the Cape.
NASA has ordered an exhaustive safety review of Hawthorne-based SpaceX and Boeing, the two companies it has contracted with to fly astronauts to the International Space Station, possibly in response to recent behavior by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, it was reported Tuesday.
William Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for human exploration, told The Washington Post the review will begin next year and examine “everything and anything that could impact safety.”
The paper, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the probe, reported the review was prompted by Musk, who appeared to be smoking marijuana and sipping whiskey during a recent podcast streamed online. NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs would not comment to the paper about the reason for the review, but said it will “ensure the companies are meeting NASA’s requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment.”
I don't believe so. What I do believe is that Elon Musk may have to divest himself from all future SpaceX endeavors. The "kids" at SpaceX have worked long and hard to make things happen and their effort should not be effected by the stupidity of Elon's behavior. I believe that SpaceX and Nasa can make a go of it.
The SSO-A launch was quite pretty, with Vandenburg giving us a break from the usual fog and low-lying clouds. A novelty to me was that they had a feed from what was likely a drone or other aircraft near the landing barge, so we go a real-time view right on down to touchdown. While one leg had a tip outside the inner circle, the stage was impressively well-centered.
I've not seen any word yet on how this try at a fairing catch went, nor anything on the actual satellite releases (all 64 of them!!).
This stage bore some scorch marks as souvenirs of two previous flights--one each from the two launch complexes SpaceX uses on the East Coast. This is the first attempt at, and first success at, triple use of an orbital-class first stage.
Neither fairing half landed in the net, but Elon Musk has tweeted the curious assertion that they plan to pick them up, dry them out, and fly them again.
If they really think that is OK, they must have changed their mind. Else why the investment in trying (and so far failing) to develop a catch capability.
I find the Elon marijuana/alcohol thing quite disappointing. FWIW I seriously think rather less of him for it. One hopes his team will screen any silliness. Presuming much : I suppose that's a risk for highly driven people, they wind up with some addiction to counter the symptoms of stress. I know it's a huge risk in my profession with effects not limited to simply the user. Our industry regulators are quite pro-active/ruthless for the protection of the public from bad judgment & performance consequent to such drug use. Maybe NASA is attempting to either regulate Elon, or barring that have him not in the technical loops that matter.
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
One has to remember NASA is a Federal Contractor, so it has to have a reefer madness culture. Federally that joint is still a felony. Felons are not allowed to work for for the FEDS. Top all that off and mix in that the GOD party won the White House and hysteria is raised several notches.
Upshot, the SpaceX BOD will have to fire Musk and he isn't going to have a parking space there anymore. They will allow him to own it, but this will also push along their IPO.
The real question will be at Tesla, when some lawsuit over the autopilot shows that joint clip to the jury and says this is the care that was done while the system was being designed, that is why my client isn't here to raise her family ...
Did Musk just lose his NASA
)
Did Musk just lose his NASA contracts?
https://mynewsla.com/life/2018/11/20/report-nasa-orders-safety-review-of-spacex-boeing/
The massive ride-share launch
)
The massive ride-share launch by SpaceX out of Vandenburg has had multiple delays both stated as being for additional inspections and for weather. Just now it is slated to launch about 4 hours from now.
The launch broadcast ishere.
A barge is in position for a landing not very far away from the launch site. Apparently the big boys did not want the returning rocket to overfly a national security payload launch in preparation elsewhere at Vandenburg. In a bonus I did not expect, Mr. Steven is downrange in position for the next try at snagging a fairing half by net.
This SSO-A mission launch window opens at 10:32 a.m. PST, 18:32 UTC, December 3, 2018.
Meanwhile, a SpaceX launch of a Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station (mission CRS-16) is currently scheduled for about a day later on the other coast of the country. That one intends to land the first stage back at the Cape.
Gary Charpentier wrote:Did
)
I don't believe so. What I do believe is that Elon Musk may have to divest himself from all future SpaceX endeavors. The "kids" at SpaceX have worked long and hard to make things happen and their effort should not be effected by the stupidity of Elon's behavior. I believe that SpaceX and Nasa can make a go of it.
The SSO-A launch was quite
)
The SSO-A launch was quite pretty, with Vandenburg giving us a break from the usual fog and low-lying clouds. A novelty to me was that they had a feed from what was likely a drone or other aircraft near the landing barge, so we go a real-time view right on down to touchdown. While one leg had a tip outside the inner circle, the stage was impressively well-centered.
I've not seen any word yet on how this try at a fairing catch went, nor anything on the actual satellite releases (all 64 of them!!).
This stage bore some scorch marks as souvenirs of two previous flights--one each from the two launch complexes SpaceX uses on the East Coast. This is the first attempt at, and first success at, triple use of an orbital-class first stage.
Neither fairing half landed
)
Neither fairing half landed in the net, but Elon Musk has tweeted the curious assertion that they plan to pick them up, dry them out, and fly them again.
If they really think that is OK, they must have changed their mind. Else why the investment in trying (and so far failing) to develop a catch capability.
I find the Elon
)
I find the Elon marijuana/alcohol thing quite disappointing. FWIW I seriously think rather less of him for it. One hopes his team will screen any silliness. Presuming much : I suppose that's a risk for highly driven people, they wind up with some addiction to counter the symptoms of stress. I know it's a huge risk in my profession with effects not limited to simply the user. Our industry regulators are quite pro-active/ruthless for the protection of the public from bad judgment & performance consequent to such drug use. Maybe NASA is attempting to either regulate Elon, or barring that have him not in the technical loops that matter.
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
One has to remember NASA is a
)
One has to remember NASA is a Federal Contractor, so it has to have a reefer madness culture. Federally that joint is still a felony. Felons are not allowed to work for for the FEDS. Top all that off and mix in that the GOD party won the White House and hysteria is raised several notches.
Upshot, the SpaceX BOD will have to fire Musk and he isn't going to have a parking space there anymore. They will allow him to own it, but this will also push along their IPO.
The real question will be at Tesla, when some lawsuit over the autopilot shows that joint clip to the jury and says this is the care that was done while the system was being designed, that is why my client isn't here to raise her family ...
oops. https://spaceflight
)
Oops.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/05/spacex-falcon-9-boosts-dragon-cargo-ship-to-orbit-first-stage-misses-landing-target/
Richard
Notably, once it knew it was
)
Notably, once it knew it was screwed it didn't try to go for an onshore landing. Nice feature.
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Unintended bonus, NASA
)
Unintended bonus, NASA InSight Lander 'Hears' Martian Winds