Earth Observing System:
NASA Needs to Reassess Its EOSDIS Development Strategy
T-IMTEC-92-7: Published: Feb 26, 1992. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 1992.
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GAO discussed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) strategy for developing the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). GAO noted that: (1) NASA is developing EOSDIS to perform extensive data processing, archiving, and distribution functions to serve the needs of scientists performing integrated, interdisciplinary studies of Earth; (2) the intended scope of EOSDIS far exceeds that of any previous civilian data management system; (3) the NASA EOSDIS development strategy does not adequately identify and mitigate the significant technological risks inherent to a project of this size, scope, and technical complexity; (4) the NASA near-term EOSDIS prototype projects do not address critical areas where technical feasibility is in question and are not substantial enough to allow users to assess key EOSDIS functions; and (5) NASA did not specifically address certain key technologies in its development strategy, including new data-base search techniques and data storage and retrieval methods, even though it has identified them as critical to EOSDIS long-term success. GAO believes that without specific plans to address identified technological weaknesses, NASA is taking an unnecessarily high risk that EOSDIS may be unable to provide the global change research community with fast, efficient access to earth science data.
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
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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.
May 30, 2019
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NASA:
Assessments of Major ProjectsGAO-19-262SP: Published: May 30, 2019. Publicly Released: May 30, 2019.
Apr 19, 2019
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Priority Open Recommendations:
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationGAO-19-424SP: Published: Apr 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 19, 2019.
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