Space Shuttle:
Changes to the Solid Rocket Motor Contract
NSIAD-88-203: Published: Aug 5, 1988. Publicly Released: Aug 15, 1988.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the restructured space shuttle solid rocket motor contract to determine the extent to which the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contractor changed production terms and conditions as a result of the January 1986 Challenger accident.
GAO found that NASA and the contractor signed a contract modification agreement on May 9, 1988, with changes including: (1) a significant increase in the amount of work, due to design changes; (2) an increase in estimated contract costs from $594.1 million to $1,367 million; (3) a contractor fee reduction of $10 million on the condition that NASA not formally conclude that it was responsible for the accident; (4) an increase in maximum fee from $84.4 million to $109.2 million; and (5) a contractor agreement to perform an estimated $505 million worth of redesign and recovery work at no additional fee. GAO also found that NASA and the contractor are still negotiating other contract changes.
Apr 30, 2020
Priority Open Recommendations:
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationGAO-20-526PR: Published: Apr 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2020.
Apr 29, 2020
-
NASA:
Assessments of Major ProjectsGAO-20-405: Published: Apr 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2020.
Jan 29, 2020
-
NASA Commercial Crew Program:
Significant Work Remains to Begin Operational Missions to the Space StationGAO-20-121: Published: Jan 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2020.
Jan 28, 2020
-
James Webb Space Telescope:
Technical Challenges Have Caused Schedule Strain and May Increase CostsGAO-20-224: Published: Jan 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
-
NASA Lunar Programs:
Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Analyses and Plans for Moon LandingGAO-20-68: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Sep 18, 2019
-
NASA:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Human Spaceflight ProgramsGAO-19-716T: Published: Sep 18, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 18, 2019.
Jun 20, 2019
-
NASA Commercial Crew Program:
Schedule Uncertainty Persists for Start of Operational Missions to the International Space StationGAO-19-504: Published: Jun 20, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 20, 2019.
Jun 19, 2019
-
NASA Human Space Exploration:
Persistent Delays and Cost Growth Reinforce Concerns over Management of ProgramsGAO-19-377: Published: Jun 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 19, 2019.
May 30, 2019
-
NASA:
Assessments of Major ProjectsGAO-19-262SP: Published: May 30, 2019. Publicly Released: May 30, 2019.
Apr 19, 2019
-
Priority Open Recommendations:
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationGAO-19-424SP: Published: Apr 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 19, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Space
Explore our other Key Issues here
