Space Operations: NASA Efforts to Develop and Deploy Advanced Spacecraft Computers
IMTEC-89-17
Published: Mar 31, 1989. Publicly Released: May 01, 1989.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on: (1) the capabilities of existing National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft computers; (2) NASA and Department of Defense (DOD) programs to develop advanced, general-purpose, space-qualified computers; and (3) the type of primary onboard computer system NASA planned to use for the space station.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should consider further strengthening the agency's ongoing activities by establishing an independent expert panel to comprehensively examine the process by which advanced spacecraft computers are developed and deployed, and determine the further steps that could be taken to shorten the process. At the discretion of the Administrator, members of the panel could be gathered from appropriate federal agencies, the scientific community, and private industry. |
Closed – Implemented
An expert panel, formed to address the issues, concurred that a major reduction could be made in the time needed to develop spacecraft computers.
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