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Space Shuttle: NASA Faces Challenges in Its Attempt to Achieve Planned Flight Rates

NSIAD-92-32 Published: Dec 06, 1991. Publicly Released: Jan 08, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) future space shuttle flight plans, focusing on the: (1) factors associated with achieving planned flight rates; (2) processes to ensure that NASA does not compromise safety by increasing flight rates; (3) impact of variations in flight rate estimates on subsystem and spare parts procurement; and (4) planned use of expendable launch vehicles for payloads not requiring the shuttle.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should implement plans to reduce advanced solid rocket motor manufacturing equipment to be consistent with the agency's current projection of the maximum shuttle flight rate.
Closed – Implemented
Equipment has been reduced to support the NASA current maximum shuttle flight rate.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should identify possible cost savings from reducing the size of advanced solid rocket motor (ASRM) production facilities to those needed to produce 11 motor sets a year.
Closed – Implemented
NASA has reviewed cost reduction options, including decreasing the size of the ASRM production facilities.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should review the decision not to reduce facility sizes, if warranted by the potential cost savings.
Closed – Implemented
NASA ASRM facility capacities are being adjusted to the currently authorized flight rate.

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