NRC Says NASA Facilities Deferred Maintenance is "Staggering," Affects Safety

NRC Says NASA Facilities Deferred Maintenance is "Staggering," Affects Safety

A National Research Council (NRC) study committee reports that NASA’s basic research facilities are in a state of decline. Committee co-chair John Best says that it is “imperative that NASA restore and maintain its basic research laboratories” or jeopardize its ability to meet major mission goals according to an NRC press release.

Capabilities for the Future — An Assessment of NASA Laboratories for Basic Research,” released today, is based on the committee’s examination of laboratories at Goddard Space Flight Center, Glenn Research Center, Langley Research Center and Ames Research Center. The committee found that NASA’s deferred maintenance budget grew from $1.77 billion in 2004 to $2.6 billion in 2009, a “staggering” bill yet to be paid. “NASA is spending well below accepted industry guidelines on annual maintenance, repairs, and upgrades,” with consequent effects on safety, says the NRC.

The report was requested by Congress in the 2008 NASA authorization act. The study was paid for by NASA and conducted under the auspices of the NRC’s Laboratory Assessments Board, Space Studies Board, and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board.

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