Dwayne Brown/Bob Jacobs 
Headquarters, Washington, DC       July 31, 2001
(Phone: 202/358-1726/1600)

RELEASE: 01-152

NASA ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCES DISTINGUISHED
TEAM TO REVIEW INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PROGRAM

     A diverse team of world-renowned experts, including two 
Nobel laureates and the world's most famous heart surgeon, 
make up an independent task force created by NASA 
Administrator Daniel S. Goldin to take a focused look at the 
budget and management challenges facing the International 
Space Station program.

"In the last year, we have successfully carried out all of 
the 14 scheduled assembly missions to the International Space 
Station. We did so with unbelievable precision and execution, 
completing the second phase of space station construction," 
said Administrator Goldin. "It's an incredible management and 
engineering achievement, but we must ensure it is carried out 
in a more efficient and effective manner."

The ISS Management and Cost Evaluation Task Force (IMCE) will 
help NASA address the recent cost growth on the program by 
assessing the quality of the ISS cost estimates as well as 
program assumptions and requirements, and identifying high-
risk budget areas and potential risk mitigation strategies.

"Since April, we've been working to select a team of 
outstanding innovators in the fields of science, engineering, 
finance and business to advise NASA and the Administration 
how to maximize the scientific returns on the station, while 
living within the guidelines of the President's budget," 
added Administrator Goldin. "The financial management of the 
International Space Station needs an overhaul, but we're 
going to do it in a way that doesn't sacrifice safety."

Two Nobel Prize winners are among the members of the IMCE 
Task Force. Dr. Richard Roberts shared the1993 Nobel Prize in 
Physiology of Medicine for the discovery of "split genes." He 
is currently the head of the Department of Bioinformatics and 
Research at New England Biolabs, Beverly, MA.

Another panel member, Dr. Robert Richardson, is Vice-Provost 
for Research at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and shared 
the 1996 Nobel Prize for the discovery of superfluidity in 
the isotope helium-3 (3He).

Another prominent task force member is world-renowned medical 
pioneer, Dr. Michael DeBakey, Chancellor Emeritus of Baylor 
College of Medicine in Texas and an active staff member at 
The Methodist Hospital of Houston. Dr. DeBakey is 
internationally recognized for his innovations in open-heart 
surgery and his recent pioneering work in the field of 
telemedicine.

Administrator Goldin appointed Thomas Young chair of the IMCE 
Task Force. Young, a former president at Martin Marietta 
Corp., managed numerous complex and technically challenging 
programs in government as well as private industry. He 
recently led the Mars Program Independent Assessment Team 
which reviewed NASA's approach to robotic exploration.

The chair and the other members of the IMCE Task Force will 
report to the NASA Advisory Council (NAC).

"This panel has been empowered to leave no stone unturned. We 
have experts in all fields that have the capacity to dig deep 
to help us restructure the business and financial approach of 
this program, added Administrator Goldin. The task force will 
identify opportunities for maximizing capability to meet 
priority research program needs within the planned ISS budget 
and International Partner contributions. In addition, it will 
assess and refine cost estimates for potential U.S.-funded 
enhancements.

A Financial Management Team (FMT) and a Cost Analysis Support 
Team (CAST) will support the IMCE Task Force. The FMT will 
assist the IMCE Task Force in reviewing the financial 
management tools used in the development and operation of the 
International Space Station, and making Agency-wide 
recommendations for improvements. The CAST will assess the 
quality of the space station estimates in an effort to 
establish cost credibility.

In empowering the external team, Administrator Goldin stated 
that, in addition to technical excellence, it is essential 
that NASA maintain strict financial and management 
accountability. The task force will review management reforms 
in the ISS Program Management Action Plan and may make 
recommendations for additional reforms.

The panel will report its findings to the NAC by Nov. 1, 
2001. The NAC will consider and formally present its 
recommendations to the NASA Administrator for an official 
Agency response.

                          -end-



International Space Station (ISS) Management
and Cost Evaluation (IMCE) Task Force

* Mr. A. Thomas Young, Chairman, former President of Martin-
Marietta Corp., and former director of NASA's Viking missions 
to Mars. Member of the National Academy of Engineering
* Rear Admiral Thomas Betterton, USN (Ret), Vice Chairman, 
formerly a Senior Navy Official with the National 
Reconnaissance Office

Science Group
* Michael DeBakey, MD, heart surgeon and Chancellor Emeritus 
of the Baylor College of Medicine
* Robert Richardson, PhD, Vice Provost for Research, Cornell 
University; shared 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics
* Richard Roberts, PhD, head of the Department of 
Bioinformatics/Research, New England Biolabs; shared 1993 
Nobel Prize in Medicine
* Rae Silver, PhD, Kaplan Professor of Natural and Physical 
Sciences, Columbia University and President of the Society 
for Biological Rhythms 

Engineering Group
* Dr. Andreas Acrivos, Einstein Professor of Science and Technology, Emeritus, 
City College of the City University of New York
* Mr. Kent Black, former Chief Executive Officer of United 
Space Alliance and former Executive Vice-President of 
Rockwell International
* Mr. Pete Bracken, vice chairman, ACS Government Solutions 
Group and former Director of Mission Operations and Data 
Systems at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
* Gregory Canavan, PhD, American Physical Society Fellow at 
the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory
* Mr. Sidney Gutierrez, senior executive Sandia National 
Laboratories, former Space Shuttle commander and member of 
the NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
* Bradford Parkinson, PhD, professor of mechanical 
engineering, Stanford University, original director of the 
Defense Department's Global Positioning System Program and 
member of the National Academy of Engineering
* Mr. Peter Wilhelm, Director, Naval Center for Space 
Technology, Naval Research Laboratory
* Brigadier General Pete Worden, PhD, Vice-Director of 
Operations. United States Space Command

Business, Finance Group
* Mr. Anthony DeMarco, President of PRICE Systems
* Mr. William Friend, former Executive Vice-President of 
Bechtel Group, Inc. and a member of the National Academy of 
Engineering
* Ms. Susan Eisenhower, President of the Eisenhower Institute
* Mr. Robert Grady, Partner and Managing Director in Venture 
Capital, the Carlyle Group and former Executive Associate 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
* Admiral Paul Reason, USN (Ret), President and Chief 
Operating Officer of the Metro Machine Corp., and former 
Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet
* Mr. Roger Tetrault, retired Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer, McDermott International and former president of the 
Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics