**GAO-08-1096**                      Published: Sep 30, 2008. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) is scheduled to retire in 2010, and the transition and retirement of its facilities and assets will be an immense undertaking involving approximately 654 facilities worth an estimated $5.7 billion and equipment with an estimated value of more than $12 billion. NASA plans to retire the SSP in 2010 to make resources available for the Constellation program, which is producing the next generation of space vehicles by 2015. Many of the SSP's resources are expected to transition to Constellation while others will be dispositioned or preserved for their historic value. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 directed GAO to assess NASA's plans and progress in transitioning and retiring the SSP's facilities and equipment. More specifically, GAO examined 1) the challenges NASA faces in defining the scope and costs of transition and retirement activities, and 2) whether the cost of these efforts is transparent in NASA's budget requests. To address these objectives, GAO analyzed SSP plans, budget guidance, and other documents, and interviewed relevant government officials and contractors.

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## Topics

Space

Aerospace industryBudget functionsBudget outlaysCost analysisFacility maintenanceFacility managementFederal propertyFuture budget projectionsProgram managementProperty disposalSpace explorationStrategic planningBudget requestsCost estimatesTransparency