Accession Number:

AD1157554

Title:

NASA Human Space Exploration: Persistent Delays and Cost Growth Reinforce Concerns over Management of Programs

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Chaplain, Cristina T.
• Traci, Molly
• Bivens, Andrea
• Schatz, Sylvia
• Stott, Ryan
• Waller, Tanya
• Warren, John
• Weir, Alyssa
• Wilson, Robin

Report Date:

2019-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

60

Abstract:

NASA is undertaking a trio of closely related programs to continue human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. All three programs SLS, Orion, and supporting ground systems are working toward a launch readiness date of June 2020 for the first mission. The House Committee on Appropriations included a provision in its 2017 report for GAO to continue to review NASAs human space exploration programs. This is the latest in a series of reports addressing the mandate. This report assesses 1 how NASAs human space exploration programs are performing relative to cost and schedule commitments, and 2 the extent to which NASAs use of contract award fees is achieving desired program outcomes. To do this work, GAO examined program cost and schedule reports and contractor data, and interviewed officials. This report does not assess the effect, if any, of the government shutdown that ended in January 2019.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Unmanned Spacecraft
• Astronautics

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]