Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Status

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) the advanced motor might not be used for launching the payloads originally identified; (4) NASA has launched the shuttle with no evidence of any significant solid rocket motor safety problems; (5) development costs have increased $575 million due to reductions in the program's annual funding levels; and (6) NASA estimates that it would cost $212 million to terminate existing contracts as of September 30, 1993.