About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

GAO-01-576R 1 (2001-04-26)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadxfs0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 


   I


       Accountability * Integrity * Reliability
United States General Accounting Office
Washington, DC 20548


         April 26, 2001



         The Honorable John McCain
         Chairman
         The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings
         Ranking Member
         Committee on Commerce,
         Science, and Transportation
         United States Senate

         The Honorable Sherwood L. Boehlert
         Chairman
         The Honorable Ralph M. Hall
         Ranking Minority Member
         Committee on Science
         House of Representatives


         Subject: International Space Station Propulsion Module Procurement Process


         The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Space
         Station Program in 1984 to provide for a permanent human presence in an orbiting
         laboratory. The original U.S. design included a propulsion module that could adjust
         the orientation of the space station, known as attitude control, and boost its
         altitude, known as re-boost capability. Both capabilities are basic requirements for
         successful long-term operation. In 1993, Russia joined the program and agreed to
         provide space assets, including the propulsion capability. Because of concerns about
         Russian delays, however, NASA later initiated a parallel, U.S.-funded effort in
         December 1998 to design and build a propulsion module to ensure the required
         attitude control and re-boost capability.


         Subsequently, the U.S. propulsion module project experienced cost increases and
         schedule delays. Concerned that technical, cost, and schedule risks were not
         adequately managed, you asked us to examine a number of issues related to the
         propulsion module procurement. One issue involves the process NASA used in


GAO-01-576R Space Station Propulsion Module

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Contact us for annual subscription options:

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

profiles profiles most