Space Operations: NASA Is Not Archiving All Potentially Valuable Data
IMTEC-91-3
Published: Nov 02, 1990. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) management of space science data to determine whether NASA: (1) archived all of its valuable data; and (2) had a mechanism in place to allow scientists to provide input on what types of data should be archived.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should require NSSDC to identify and, if warranted and cost-effective, obtain all outstanding archival data from past missions not yet delivered to its archives. |
Closed – Implemented
NASA recently completed the data census. NASA plans to acquire missing data by late 1994.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should revise data management policy to recognize the need to archive selected original data of potential long-term scientific value. |
Closed – Implemented
The revised data management policy was issued on March 5, 1992.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should revise data management policy to specify archiving requirements for data produced by life science, microgravity, aircraft, balloon, and sounding rocket missions, and data from NASA instruments flown on shuttle missions and foreign spacecraft. |
Closed – Implemented
NASA has included requirements for these sciences in the revised data management policy.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should ensure that all missions develop and submit approved project data management plans. |
Closed – Implemented
NASA will annually assess mission compliance. NASA has revised its guidance on the responsibilities and importance of preparing project data management plans.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should establish and enforce an internal controls system to ensure that original data are not destroyed until NSSDC has received all appropriate archival data. |
Closed – Implemented
In cooperation with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), NASA has revised its records disposition handbook.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should determine what additional actions could be taken to involve scientists more in the development and operation of mission data management systems. |
Closed – Implemented
NASA has investigated ways to strengthen involvement of the scientific community. Increased involvement on future missions is likely to occur.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should determine what additional actions could be taken to more strongly encourage missions to include participation of outside scientists on mission-level data management committees. |
Closed – Implemented
NASA is strengthening representation of scientists on mission-level data management committees.
|
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Topics
Aerospace researchArchivesData integrityData storageFederal records managementInformation resources managementInformation systemsRecords retentionSpace explorationScientists