	Background

The President’s Vision for Space Exploration for NASA announced in 2004  calls for the retirement of the shuttle upon completion of the ISS and the  creation of new vehicles for human space flight that will allow a return to  the moon by 2020 and voyages to Mars and points beyond. Congress has voiced concern over the United States  not having continuous access to space. NASA has made it a priority to  minimize the gap to the extent possible. Another key challenge will be developing the Orion Crew  Exploration Vehicle within cost, schedule, and performance goals. Some of these  challenges include managing the supplier base to ensure its continued  viability, developing the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, and completing and  supporting the space station. NASA has recently issued its updated program and project  management requirements for flight systems in response to our  recommendation. However, it should be noted that implementation of the  policy in a disciplined manner will ensure success, not the existence of the  policy itself. We are in the process of assessing how well NASA is positioning itself to  effectively manage its supplier base to ensure both sustainment of the  Space Shuttle Program through its scheduled retirement in 2010 and  successful transition to planned exploration activities. A February 2007 report by the International Space Station  Independent Safety Task Force, which was required by the NASA  Authorization Act of 2005, noted that the transition from the space shuttle  to post-shuttle systems for logistical support to the ISS will require careful  planning and phasing of new capabilities. Disposing of Property and Equipment

NASA has not developed a comprehensive cost estimate for transitioning  or disposing of Space Shuttle Program facilities and equipment. This poses  a financial risk to the agency. Further, NASA has indicated that it is preparing a package  of legislative and administrative tools to help in the transition from the  Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program. Implementing the Vision over the coming decades will require hundreds  of billions of dollars and a sustained commitment from multiple  administrations and Congresses over the length of the program. How well  NASA overcomes the transition challenges that we and others have  identified will not only have an effect on NASA’s ability to effectively  manage the gap in the U. S. human access to space, but also will affect the  agency’s ability to secure a sound foundation of support for the President’s  space exploration policy. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the  United States.
Why GAO Did This Study

On January 14, 2004, the President announced a new Vision for space exploration that directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to focus its efforts on returning humans to the moon by 2020 in preparation for future, more ambitions missions. Implementing the Vision will require hundreds of billions of dollars and a sustained commitment from multiple administrations and Congresses. Some of the funding for implementing exploration activities is expected to come from funding freed up after the retirement of the Space Shuttle, scheduled for 2010, and projected termination of U.S. participation in the International Space Station by 2016. Congress, while supportive of the effort has voiced concern over the potential gap in human space flight. In the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, Congress stated that it is the policy of the United States to have the capability for human access to space on a continuous basis. NASA has made it a priority to minimize the gap to the extent possible. GAO provides no recommendations in this statement. However, GAO continues to emphasize that given the Nation's fiscal challenges and NASA's past difficulty developing systems within cost, schedule, and performance parameters, it is imperative that the agency adequately manage this transition in a fiscally competent and prudent manner.

What GAO Found

NASA is in the midst of a transition effort of a magnitude not seen since the end of the Apollo program and the start of the Space Shuttle Program more than 3 decades ago. This transition will include a massive transfer of people, hardware, and infrastructure. Based on ongoing and work completed to-date, we have identified a number of issues that pose unique challenges to NASA as it transitions from the shuttle to the next generation of human space flight systems while at the same time seeking to minimize the time the United States will be without its own means to put humans in space. These issues include: sustaining a viable workforce; effectively managing systems development efforts; managing the supplier base; providing logistical support to the International Space Station; identifying and disposing of property and equipment; ensuring adequate environmental remediation; and transforming its business processes and financial management system. NASA already has in place many processes, policies, procedures and support systems to carry out this transition. However, successful implementation of the transition will depend on thoughtful execution and effective oversight. How well NASA overcomes some of the challenges we have identified will not only have an effect on NASA's ability to effectively manage the gap in the U.S. human access to space, but will also affect the agency's ability to secure a sound foundation for the President's space exploration policy.