Space Transportation System

Past, Present, Future Gao ID: PSAD-77-113 May 27, 1977

Congress has appropriated about $4.4 billion to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and $106 million to the Department of Defense through fiscal year 1977 for development of the Space Transportation System (STS), about one-third of estimated development and production cost. Congress must decide whether to approve a full-scale operational STS by authorizing the start of production of additional orbiters and construction of a second-line launch and landing facility.

Production would be justified if no technical problems are encountered, space activity increases as predicted, and the cost of operation is significantly reduced over expendable vehicles. However, there were indications that these conditions may not be met. Other alternatives presented were delaying production or proceeding with one of the three orbiters.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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