NASA IG: Flat Budget Is Biggest Threat To Orion. Florida Today (8/15, Dean) writes that a report by NASA’s Office of Inspector General said that “the biggest threat” to the Orion spacecraft is “NASA’s flat, roughly $1 billion annual budget that forces work on critical systems to be deferred until late in the spacecraft’s development, leaving little flexibility to handle any issues that arise.” The report added that even after Orion is working, “NASA will continue to face significant challenges concerning the long-term viability of its human exploration program” as there will be little money for landers and surface systems. Bill Gerstenmaier, head of human spaceflight, agreed that such “incremental” development isn’t how spacecraft should be made. Already, the craft won’t be a backup transport to the ISS because some of the life support systems won’t ready for the 2017 test flight. The IG report also cited “significant technical challenges” for the program, including a crack-prone heat shield, the fact that the craft is too heavy, slow project computers, and dependency on a European propulsion module. The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (8/15, Matthews) reports the IG’s findings “cast more doubt on” Orion’s future. The Space News (8/16, Leone, Subscription Publication) reports the IG’s report said that while Orion’s managers “made the best of a difficult budget environment,” the “coping strategy ultimately could cause delays and cost increases.” The Alabama Live (8/16, Roop) also covers this story.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 20:20:06 +0000