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Space Shuttle: Declining Budget and Tight Schedule Could Jeopardize Space Station Support

NSIAD-95-171 Published: Jul 28, 1995. Publicly Released: Aug 17, 1995.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the extent to which the space shuttle program can support the space station's assembly requirements, focusing on the: (1) impacts of the declining shuttle budget; and (2) demanding schedule to support the space station.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should establish an independent review team to assess the NASA systems integration plan for the lift-increasing enhancements, identify the associated technical and programmatic risks, and weigh the costs and benefits of NASA tight scheduling of shuttle flights to assemble the space station.
Closed – Implemented
In July 1996, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) asked NASA to review the impact that the agency's downsizing plans and transition to a single prime contractor for shuttle operations have had or will have on shuttle safety issues. The three issues GAO raised in this report were mentioned in this OSTP request. Subsequently, NASA asked its Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) to perform the requested review. The ASAP's report was issued in November 1996.

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Topics

Aerospace engineeringAerospace researchCost analysisFuture budget projectionsMission budgetingSpace explorationSystems analysisSystems designTransportation safetySpace station