Commercial Use of Space: Many Grantees Making Progress, but NASA Oversight Could Be Improved

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) the extent of private-sector involvement in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) grant program supporting the Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS); (2) the centers' progress toward and prospects for self-sufficiency; and (3) NASA management of the program.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
National Aeronautics and Space Administration	The Administrator, NASA, should establish, in consultation with each center, a grant support goal with interim targets against which to track progress toward self-sufficiency and to determine the need for, and help measure the results of, corrective actions.	Closed – Implemented NASA has developed and implemented systems for management and peer reviews of CCDS progress.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration	The Administrator, NASA, should review the flight request and approval process to ensure that the expertise for such reviews is available in the most efficient manner possible and that those who are asked to assess flight requests fully understand the intended scope of their participation.	Closed – Implemented NASA has revamped the flight review process and has increased the involvement of industry and of field centers personnel with appropriate expertise.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration	The Administrator, NASA, should assess and, as necessary, strengthen the internal controls for ensuring that timely, complete, and accurate fiscal information on grantees is available in the NASA accounting system.	Closed – Implemented NASA's financial and management review of the centers is covered by the actions taken in response to the first recommendation.

Full Report

(48 pages)

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Topics

Space

Aerospace researchFederal agency accounting systemsFederal grantsFinancial managementGrant administrationGrant monitoringInternal controlsResearch and development facilitiesResearch grantsSpace exploration