. 24/7 Space News .
Gordon, Udall Urge NASA to Heed GAO's Project Management Recommendations

Credits: Pat Rawlings.
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Jan 24, 2006
After careful study, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency's (NASA) policies governing the development of space flight systems have been found to be lacking some key criteria. A report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that additional "decision reviews" are needed to ensure that NASA's projects meet their performance, cost, and schedule goals.

The GAO study, requested in June 2005 by House Science Committee Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark Udall (D-CO), is part of Science Democrats' ongoing oversight agenda for NASA.

"As NASA embarks on an initiative to return American astronauts to the Moon - an endeavor estimated to cost more than $100 billion over the next 13 years - we need to have confidence that the agency will be good stewards of taxpayer dollars," stated Rep. Gordon. "In its report out today, the GAO offers some common-sense recommendations aimed at reducing the chances that NASA's projects will suffer cost growth and schedule delays. I hope NASA will take the GAO's guidance seriously."

GAO's recommendations include requiring that NASA projects demonstrate:

  • that key technologies have reached a high maturity level before approving the projects for transition from the formulation to the implementation phase,
  • that the design is stable before approving the projects for transition from the design phase to the fabrication, assembly, and test phase; and
  • that the design can be manufactured within cost and schedule and meet quality targets prior to any decision to enter into production.

    In addition, the GAO recommends that NASA include additional decision reviews that are tied to the key phases of a project "to increase the likelihood that cost, schedule, and performance requirements of the project will be met."

    "The GAO report cautions that 'several of NASA's major acquisitions have been marked by cost, schedule, and performance problems,'" added Rep. Udall. "'Yet, the challenges NASA faces in the future are likely to far exceed those it has faced in the past.' I want NASA to succeed on all of its important missions in science, aeronautics, and human space flight."

    "Good project management is going to be critical to NASA's mission success, and I welcome GAO's constructive recommendations to the agency. Over the coming year, we plan to follow NASA's progress in implementing them," concluded Rep. Gordon.

    The GAO report is entitled "NASA: Implementing a Knowledge-Based Acquisition Framework Could Lead to Better Investment Decisions and Project Outcomes." [GAO-06-218].

    Related Links
    GAO 06-218 Report



    Memory Foam Mattress Review
    Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
    XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


    Gov't Plan To Send First South Korean Into Space Likely To Be Delayed
    Seoul, South Korea (SPX) Jan 24, 2006
    South Korea's plan to send its first astronaut into space within the first half of 2007 is likely to be delayed following a rescheduling request by Russia, the Science Ministry said Friday, reports Asia Pulse.







  • SpaceDev Closes $5.2 Million Financing
  • Gordon, Udall Urge NASA to Heed GAO's Project Management Recommendations
  • Gov't Plan To Send First South Korean Into Space Likely To Be Delayed
  • Spacecraft, Heal Thyself

  • Impacts, Not Water, Made Mars Formations, ASU Geologists Say
  • Opportunity Driving Again
  • Martian Glaciers: Did They Originate From The Atmosphere
  • Salty Expression (False Color)

  • Eutelsat's Hot Bird 7A Arrives At Kourou From Alcatel Alenia Space Facilities
  • Russian Proton-M To Launch Arab Satellite From Baikonur March 1
  • Sea Launch Begins A Sold-Out Year
  • H-2A To Launch Today

  • NASA Magnetic Field Mission Ends
  • Winter Snow On The Hindu Kush
  • TIGER Innovators Enhance North-South Collaboration
  • EPA Obtains Agencywide Access To GlobeXplorer Online Earth Imagery Services

  • On The Road To Pluto At Last
  • The PI's Perspective 24 Hours After Launch: It Worked!
  • LockMart Thermoelectric Generator Powers NASA Pluto New Horizons Probe
  • Spacecraft Bound For Pluto Supported By Aerojet Propulsion

  • Dissecting Stardust
  • Cartwheel Galaxy Makes Waves In New NASA Image
  • Astronomers Detect Largest Cluster Of Red Supergiants
  • Integral Identifies Supernova Rate For Milky Way

  • Jack Skis The Moon
  • Engineer Who Has Name On Moon Dies
  • Apollo Chronicles
  • An Explosion On The Moon

  • Putin And Ivanov Discuss Future Of GLONASS System
  • EADS Space To Play Central Role In Galileo Sat Nav Test
  • ESA, Galileo Industries Seal Deal For First 4 Galileo Sats
  • GLONASS To Have 18 Satellites In Orbit In 2008

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement