NASA's largest programs may require an increasing share of its limited future budgets. If NASA receives funding averaging about $15 billion annually for the next 5 years (a total of about $75 billion), as reflected in the executive branch's fiscal year 1993 budget submission, its largest programs may consume increasing shares of the agency's annual appropriations. Additional unplanned cost growth typical of NASA research and development programs may push funding requirements for these programs even higher. Under this scenario, NASA would have to reduce funds originally intended for other programs. NASA is in the process of reviewing the costs of all its major programs and plans to make appropriate adjustments to ensure a balanced overall space and aeronautics program within budget realities. The results of this effort, however, may not be known until NASA submits its fiscal year 1994 budget proposal. NASA's strategic plan (called Vision 21), prepared last year before the appointment of the current Administrator, did not address the mismatch between the agency's 5-year program plan and potential budgetary resources. The new Administrator said that he is going to give top priority to the creation of a new strategic plan. NASA wrote Vision 21 because the Senate Committee on Appropriations had directed that the agency complete an agencywide strategic plan by the time the President submitted his fiscal year 1993 budget. The Committee set forth eight criteria on which it expected NASA to base its plan. These criteria focus on setting priorities, coming to grips more honestly with accurate cost estimates, and anticipating more modest future budget growth. However, NASA did not fully respond to these issues. Information provided to Congress on NASA's future program cost estimates could be improved. Although program plans cover 5 years, NASA's biannual Project Status Reports, the agency's principal mechanism for reporting program costs to Congress, provide funding estimates for only 1 year beyond the current budget request. This time frame is too short to provide Congress with the broad view necessary to anticipate program funding needs and make forward-looking decisions.


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    Titel :

    Large Programs May Consume Increasing Share of Limited Future Budgets. Report to Congressional Requesters


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1992


    Format / Umfang :

    18 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch