Space exploration (11 - 20 of 39 items)
NASA: Agency Has Taken Steps Toward Making Sound Investment Decisions for Ares I but Still Faces Challenging Knowledge Gaps
GAO-08-51: Published: Oct 31, 2007. Publicly Released: Nov 29, 2007.
One of the first steps in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) efforts to implement the President's plan to return humans to the moon and prepare for eventual human space flight to Mars is the development of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. In 2005, NASA outlined a framework for implementing the President's plan and has awarded contracts for Ares I and the Orion Crew Explorati...
U.S. Aerospace Industry: Progress in Implementing Aerospace Commission Recommendations, and Remaining Challenges
GAO-06-920: Published: Sep 13, 2006. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 2006.
The U.S. aerospace industry's wide-ranging activities--including commercial aviation, national security, and space exploration--make it critical to the economic health and strategic strength of our nation. However, the industry faces challenges, such as a national air traffic management system that, in its present form, cannot handle expected increases in demand; an aging aerospace workforce; and...
NASA: More Knowledge Needed to Determine Best Alternatives to Provide Space Station Logistics Support
GAO-05-488: Published: May 18, 2005. Publicly Released: May 31, 2005.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space shuttle fleet has been key to International Space Station operations. Since the grounding of the fleet in February 2003, Russia has provided logistics support. However, due to the limited payload capacity of the Russian space vehicles, on-orbit assembly of the space station stopped. In May 2004 and in February 2005, NASA testified be...
NASA's Space Vision: Business Case for Prometheus 1 Needed to Ensure Requirements Match Available Resources
GAO-05-242: Published: Feb 28, 2005. Publicly Released: Mar 22, 2005.
In 2003, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Prometheus 1 project to explore the outer reaches of the Solar System. The Prometheus 1 spacecraft is being designed to harness nuclear energy that will increase available electrical power from about 1,000 watts to over 100,000 watts and enable the use of electric propulsion thrusters. Historically, NASA has had diffic...
Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
GAO-03-114: Published: Jan 1, 2003. Publicly Released: Jan 1, 2003.
In its 2001 performance and accountability report on NASA, GAO identified important management, oversight, and workforce issues facing the agency. The information GAO presents in this report is intended to help sustain congressional attention and an agency focus on continuing to make progress in addressing these challenges--and others that have arisen since 2001--and ultimately overcoming them. Th...
Space Station: Impact of the Expanded Russian Role on Funding and Research
NSIAD-94-220: Published: Jun 21, 1994. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 1994.
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether Russian participation in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space station program will: (1) reduce costs; and (2) increase the space station's research capabilities.GAO found that: (1) the overall impact of expanded Russian involvement in the space station program will not be known for several months; (2) much of the...
Space Shuttle Main Engine: NASA Has Not Evaluated the Alternate Fuel Turbopump Costs and Benefits
NSIAD-94-54: Published: Oct 29, 1993. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 1993.
GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) planned development of an alternate high pressure fuel turbopump for the Space Shuttle's main engines, focusing on whether NASA has adequately analyzed cost, performance, and expected program benefits in comparison to other alternatives before resuming its development of the alternate pump.GAO found that: (1) the current engin...
Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Status
NSIAD-93-258R: Published: Aug 13, 1993. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 1993.
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program. GAO noted that: (1) the need for the advanced motor has diminished since the development program was first approved in 1988; (2) NASA had no actual flight experience with the advanced motors when the program was approved; (3)...
Space Station: Information on National Security Applications and Cost
NSIAD-93-208: Published: May 18, 1993. Publicly Released: May 18, 1993.
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's space station program, focusing on: (1) the Department of Defense's (DOD) potential use of the space station for national security purposes; (2) the program's total cost; and (3) other existing and planned space stations.GAO found that: (1) DOD has not identified or planned any research that would...
Space Station: Program Instability and Cost Growth Continue Pending Redesign
NSIAD-93-187: Published: May 18, 1993. Publicly Released: May 18, 1993.
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO: (1) updated information on the total cost of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space station program; (2) updated its analysis concerning the share of NASA future years' budgets that the space station and related activities would require under the current design; and (3) reported on the current and prospective status of financial r...