Analysis of NASA's Supplemental FY 1979 Budget Request

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requested $185 million to supplement its approved fiscal year 1979 research and development appropriation of $3,292 million. NASA estimated that the additional funding was needed because of technical problems encountered in the development, manufacturing, and testing of Shuttle systems; the need for design changes and weight reductions; and the requirements of prime contractors and subcontractors for increased effort to fabricate hardware and conduct test activities. This report covers the following issues: justification by NASA for the $185 million supplemental request; rationale in arriving at the $400 million to $600 million cost increase should the request be denied; the rationale behind the $787 million additional costs should the request be denied; and alternatives to granting the $185 million request.