Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) faces many challenges in developing and building the International Space Station (ISS). These challenges, such as Russian difficulty in completing its components on schedule due to insufficient funding and continuing U.S. prime contractor cost increases, have translated into schedule delays and higher program cost estimates to complete development. As requested, we reviewed the status of Russian involvement in the ISS program. We also examined the prime contractor's progress in implementing cost control measures and NASAs efforts to oversee the program's nonprime activity. Specifically, we (1) assessed NASAs progress in developing contingency plans to mitigate the possibility of Russian nonperformance and the loss or delay of other critical components, (2) identified NASAs efforts to ensure that Russian quality assurance processes meet the station's safety requirements, and (3) determined the effectiveness of cost control efforts regarding the prime contract and nonprime activities.