Space Shuttle:
Status of Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program
NSIAD-93-26: Published: Nov 17, 1992. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 1992.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) Program, focusing on the: (1) extent to which the need for the program has changed; and (2) reasons for cost growth and schedule slippage.
GAO found that: (1) NASA planned the ASRM program to enhance space shuttle safety and reduce human errors in shuttle motor production; (2) NASA identified two payloads that would need the additional lift capacity that ASRM would provide, but redesigned one payload to make it lighter, and ASRM will not be available by the scheduled launch date for the other payload; (3) several advisory groups have recommended that NASA reconsider the ASRM program; (4) since the catastrophic shuttle accident in January 1986, NASA has flown 26 successful shuttle missions with the redesigned motor that ASRM is intended to replace, with no evidence of safety or reliability problems; (5) estimated ASRM development program costs have increased from $1.67 billion to $3.25 billion, a 95-percent increase; (6) the schedule for the first ASRM flight has slipped 31 months, to February 1997; and (7) further cost increases and schedule delays are likely.
Dec 22, 2020
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Commercial Space Transportation:
FAA Should Examine a Range of Options to Support U.S. Launch InfrastructureGAO-21-154: Published: Dec 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 22, 2020.
Dec 15, 2020
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NASA Human Space Exploration:
Significant Investments in Future Capabilities Require Strengthened Management OversightGAO-21-105: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Apr 30, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationGAO-20-526PR: Published: Apr 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2020.
Apr 29, 2020
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NASA:
Assessments of Major ProjectsGAO-20-405: Published: Apr 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2020.
Jan 29, 2020
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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