**GAO-08-51**                      Published: Oct 31, 2007. Publicly Released: Nov 29, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

One of the first steps in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) efforts to implement the President's plan to return humans to the moon and prepare for eventual human space flight to Mars is the development of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. In 2005, NASA outlined a framework for implementing the President's plan and has awarded contracts for Ares I and the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle it is designed to send into space. It plans to conduct the first human space flight in 2015. However, the agency is seeking to speed development efforts in order to reduce the gap in our nation's ability to provide human access to space caused by the Space Shuttle's retirement in 2010. GAO was asked to assess NASA's progress in developing the knowledge needed to make sound investment decisions for the Ares I project. GAO's work included analyzing Ares I plans, contracts, schedules, and risk assessments.

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## Topics

Space

Aerospace industryCost analysisCost controlCost overrunsProduct evaluationResearch and developmentResearch and development contractsResearch and development costsRisk assessmentRisk managementSchedule slippagesSpace explorationTechnology assessmentTechnology researchSpace shuttles