Extending the Operational Life of the International Space Station (ISS) Until 2024 - Overly Optimistic Cost Projections, Technical Risks and Issues, Human Health Issues, Cargo Transport, Solar Panels

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Science, Physics, Astrophysics & Space Science
Cover of the book Extending the Operational Life of the International Space Station (ISS) Until 2024 - Overly Optimistic Cost Projections, Technical Risks and Issues, Human Health Issues, Cargo Transport, Solar Panels by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781311742872
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: October 7, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781311742872
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: October 7, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This recently released audit report of the NASA Office of Inspector General provides unique information about the challenges facing NASA as it hopes to extend the life of the International Space Station (ISS) through 2024.

Results - We found that while NASA has identified no major obstacles to extending ISS operations to 2024, it must address several areas of risk to ensure continued safe operations. In addition, NASA projects its annual budget for the ISS Program to grow from $3 billion in FY 2014 to nearly $4 billion by FY 2020. However, with a 26 percent cost increase between FYs 2011 and 2013 and an average increase of 8 percent annually over the life of the Program, we believe the assumptions underlying NASA's cost projections are overly optimistic and result in an understated projection of out-year expenses. Third, while utilization of the ISS for research continues to increase, NASA and CASIS continue to face challenges to maximizing its research capabilities.

NASA Has Not Identified Major Obstacles to Extending ISS Operations to 2024 But Several Risks Require Mitigation. NASA continues to assess the long-term viability of the ISS and to date has identified no major obstacles to extending operations to 2024. Nevertheless, the Agency must address several risks. First, the ISS faces a risk of insufficient power generation due in part to faster than expected degradation of its solar arrays. Second, although most replacement parts have proven more reliable than expected, sudden failures of key hardware have occurred requiring unplanned space walks to repair or replace hardware. Third, although NASA has a robust cargo transportation system, it has a limited capacity to transport large replacement parts - such as solar arrays and radiators - to the Station. While the ISS Program is actively working to mitigate these risks, anticipating the correct number and type of replacement parts and transporting them to the ISS present major challenges to extending operations 10 or more years beyond the Station's original expected service life. Additionally, the Program may have to augment the Station's power generating capability due to continued degradation of the solar arrays.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This recently released audit report of the NASA Office of Inspector General provides unique information about the challenges facing NASA as it hopes to extend the life of the International Space Station (ISS) through 2024.

Results - We found that while NASA has identified no major obstacles to extending ISS operations to 2024, it must address several areas of risk to ensure continued safe operations. In addition, NASA projects its annual budget for the ISS Program to grow from $3 billion in FY 2014 to nearly $4 billion by FY 2020. However, with a 26 percent cost increase between FYs 2011 and 2013 and an average increase of 8 percent annually over the life of the Program, we believe the assumptions underlying NASA's cost projections are overly optimistic and result in an understated projection of out-year expenses. Third, while utilization of the ISS for research continues to increase, NASA and CASIS continue to face challenges to maximizing its research capabilities.

NASA Has Not Identified Major Obstacles to Extending ISS Operations to 2024 But Several Risks Require Mitigation. NASA continues to assess the long-term viability of the ISS and to date has identified no major obstacles to extending operations to 2024. Nevertheless, the Agency must address several risks. First, the ISS faces a risk of insufficient power generation due in part to faster than expected degradation of its solar arrays. Second, although most replacement parts have proven more reliable than expected, sudden failures of key hardware have occurred requiring unplanned space walks to repair or replace hardware. Third, although NASA has a robust cargo transportation system, it has a limited capacity to transport large replacement parts - such as solar arrays and radiators - to the Station. While the ISS Program is actively working to mitigate these risks, anticipating the correct number and type of replacement parts and transporting them to the ISS present major challenges to extending operations 10 or more years beyond the Station's original expected service life. Additionally, the Program may have to augment the Station's power generating capability due to continued degradation of the solar arrays.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book NASA's Constellation Program: Lessons Learned (Volume I and II) - Moon and Mars Exploration Program - Ares Rockets and Orion Spacecraft by Progressive Management
Cover of the book A War Like No Other: Al Qaeda and the U.S. Strategy for Combating Terrorism - Counter-insurgency Operations, Counter Terrorism, Bin Laden and 9/11, Clausewitz, Analysis and Recommendations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Information Sharing Between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Army: Using Knowledge Management (KM) Technology and Tools to Bridge the Gap - Covering Interagency Cooperation, Wikileaks Impact by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Ultimate Guide to Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms: Forecasting, Meteorology, Safety and Preparedness, Tornado History, Storm Spotting and Observation, Disaster Health Problems by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Valley Forge Encyclopedia: Comprehensive History of the Famous American Revolutionary War Winter Continental Army Encampment, Valley Forge Historical Research Report, Logistics, Cabins by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Three Wars of Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer: His Korean War Diary - Far East Air Forces Commander, Problems with Other Services, the Press, Contradictory and Conflicting Orders, Lack of Materiel by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Brazil in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Portuguese Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Military, Religion, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Guiana Highlands, Amazon by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Apollo 13 Technical Crew Debriefing with Unique Observations about the Aborted Mission - Astronauts Lovell, Haise, and Swigert by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Procedures (NARP) - Accident Site, Weapon Recovery, Site Remediation, Radiological Hazard and Safety, Medical Issues, Security, Public Affairs by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Somalia in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Somali Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Mogadishu, Berbera, Merca, The Guban, Karkaar Mountains, Evil Eye, Khat, Piracy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Operational Risk Defined Through a Complex Operating Environment: U.S. Intervention in Somalia, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Analysis of Environmental, Institutional, and Social Factors by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Bio-Inspired Innovation and National Security: Biological Warfare, Biomolecular Engineering, DARPA, Abiotic Sensing, Biosensing and Bioelectronics, Bioenergy, Neurobiotics, Human Applications by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Innate Insurgent Advantage: Can Training and Planning Bridge the Gap? Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, Terrorism, Casualties and Chaos, COIN Counterinsurgency, MRAP Vehicles, Kits by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Climate Change and Global Warming: National Global Change Research Plan 2012-2021: A Strategic Plan For The U.S. Global Change Research Program, Carbon Dioxide, Sea Levels, Ecosystems, Models by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Opposing Force OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG) Part 7 - Ground Systems - Engineers, Mines, Command and Control, Information Warfare, Chemical, Biological, Nuclear by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy