The Columbia tragedy has accentuated the need to modernize the 20-year-old space shuttle, the only U.S. launch system that carries people to and from space. The shuttle will now be needed for another two decades. As it ages, the spacecraft's components will also age, and it may become increasingly unreliable. GAO examined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) plans to upgrade the shuttle through 2020, how it will identify and select what upgrades are needed, how much the upgrades may cost, and what factors will influence that cost over the system's lifetime.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Space Shuttle: Further Improvements Needed in NASA's Modernization Efforts


    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    36 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English