Space Station: NASA's Software Development Approach Increases Safety and Cost Risks
IMTEC-92-39
Published: Jun 19, 1992. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) development of computer software for its space station, to determine whether: (1) NASA is using independent verification and validation techniques to ensure that software meets specified requirements and functions; (2) NASA has incorporated software risk management techniques; (3) standards are in place that prescribe a disciplined, uniform approach to software development; and (4) software support tools will help.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | In order to reduce safety and cost risks, the Administrator, NASA, should direct space station officials to require independent verification and validation for critical space station software. |
Due to a major redesign of the space station, software development issues, such as whether NASA plans to require independent verification and validation, need to be revisited.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | In order to reduce safety and cost risks, the Administrator, NASA, should direct space station officials to institute a risk management program that identifies all key software risks and ensures that preventive measures are taken to minimize those risks. |
Due to a major redesign of the space station, software development issues, such as whether NASA plans to institute a risk management program, need to be revisited.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | To ensure that space station software is developed in the most efficient manner, the Administrator, NASA, should direct space station officials to: (1) perform a comprehensive evaluation comparing short- and long-term costs of implementing a prescribed software development environment; and (2) proceed in a manner consistent with the results of this evaluation. Such an evaluation should determine whether implementing software standards and commiting to a robust and uniform software development environment will save money over the life of the program. |
Due to a major redesign of the space station, software development issues, such as implementing software standards and committing to a robust and uniform software development environment, need to be revisited.
|
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Topics
Computer services contractsSoftwareSoftware verification and validationCost overrunsFuture budget projectionsQuality assuranceResearch and development costsSatellitesSpace explorationRisk management