United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-04-24 monographic deposited born digital 26 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-581T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T P0b002ee18037ac4b f:d08581t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T GAO-08-581T Aerospace engineering Aerospace research Construction costs Cost analysis Cost control Cost overruns Foreign governments Internal controls International agreements International cooperation Operational testing Research and development Research and development facilities Satellites Schedule slippages Space exploration Space shuttles Space operations Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle NASA International Space Station Program Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Testimony A81864 The International Space Station (ISS), the most complex scientific space project ever attempted, remains incomplete. NASA expects the station's final construction cost will be $31 billion and expects sustainment costs through the station's planned retirement in fiscal year 2016 to total $11 billion. The space shuttle, the only vehicle capable of transporting large segments of the station into orbit, is critical to its completion. NASA plans to complete ISS assembly and retire the shuttle in 2010 in order to pursue a new generation of space flight vehicles, which will not begin to be available until 2015. To provide crew rotation and logistical support during this 5-year gap, NASA plans to rely on spacecraft developed by the commercial sector and other countries. In light of these circumstances, GAO examined the risks and challenges NASA faces in (1) completing assembly of the ISS by 2010 and (2) providing logistics and maintenance to the ISS after 2010. GAO's work to accomplish this included reviewing budget, planning, and other documents from NASA; reviewing NASA officials' testimonies; and interviewing NASA and foreign space program officials. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T.pdf GAO-08-581T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-581T Testimony GAO-08-581T; NASA: Challenges in Completing and Sustaining the International Space Station; Aerospace engineering Aerospace research Construction costs Cost analysis Cost control Cost overruns Foreign governments Internal controls International agreements International cooperation Operational testing Research and development Research and development facilities Satellites Schedule slippages Space exploration Space shuttles Space operations Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle NASA International Space Station Program Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle