National Aeronautics and Space Administration--Constellation Program and Appropriations Restrictions, Part I

In a letter dated March 12, 2010, Congress requested information and GAO's views on whether the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) complied with the Impoundment Control Act and with restrictions in the fiscal year 2010 Exploration appropriation when it took certain actions pertaining to the Constellation program. The Exploration appropriation bars NASA from using Exploration funds for "the termination or elimination of any program, project, or activity of the architecture for the Constellation program." In addition, it bars NASA from using Exploration funds to "create or initiate a new program, project or activity." Congress also asked GAO for information regarding the planning activities of NASA staff after the President released his fiscal year 2011 budget request. This letter responds to Congress' request for information regarding the planning activities of NASA staff and whether NASA complied with the Exploration appropriation prohibition restricting the use of Exploration funds to "create or initiate a new program, project or activity." GAO will respond to Congress' other requests in a separate opinion. After gathering and assessing the information surrounding the Constellation program, it is GAO's view that, at this time, NASA has not violated the Exploration appropriation's restriction on the use of Exploration funds to "create or initiate a new program, project or activity."