The United States' three-ship space shuttle fleet faces "significant challenges" in its future orbiter work, the U.S. government has warned.
The Government Accountability Office told Congress that completing construction and continuing operation of the $31 billion International Space Station raised the possibility of severe cutbacks, the Houston Chronicle reported from Washington.
Cristina Chaplain of Congress' watchdog agency told a House of Representatives aeronautics subcommittee that NASA must overcome immense odds to complete assembly of the space station on time. Eight shuttle missions are scheduled before the fleet's retirement in 2010.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
Related stories:
The International Space Station, a test-bed for future space exploration
The Heads of the International Space Station (ISS) Agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States met today at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, to review ISS cooperation.
Astronauts take another spacewalk for tamer job
(AP) -- The space station's two Russian astronauts stepped outside for the second time in less than a week Tuesday, taking a spacewalk that promised to be tame compared to last week's work with explosives.
Space Shuttle External Tank ET-128 Sets New Performance Standard During STS-124 Mission
When NASA's space shuttle Discovery launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., May 31, it was lifted from the launch pad with the help of a "new" external fuel tank, ET-128, which featured design changes made to improve performance and flight safety.
NASA sets date for final shuttle mission in 2010
Following a detailed, integrated assessment, NASA selected target launch dates for the remaining eight space shuttle missions on the current manifest in 2009 and 2010.
Neither Rain Nor Sleet Will Stop NASA's Ares Rockets
Barry Roberts wants to help build a better rocket…one that can fly despite record low temperatures, one that hail and rain can’t stop.
Jules Verne ATV reveals unexpected capabilities
Eleven weeks into its integrated service to the International Space Station, Jules Verne ATV has followed up its successful automatic docking on 3 April 2008 by achieving all its scheduled objectives - and much more. ATV is providing capabilities never planned for before its mission.
Shuttle Discovery Glides Home After Successful Mission
With Commander Mark Kelly and Pilot Ken Ham at the controls, space shuttle Discovery descended to a smooth landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The STS-124 crew concluded their successful assembly mission to the International Space Station when the shuttle landed at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
NASA Completes Review Milestone for Ares I First Stage
NASA has completed the preliminary design review for the first stage of the Ares I rocket -- giving overall approval for the agency's technical design approach. This review brings NASA one step closer to developing a new mode of space transportation for astronauts to explore the moon, Mars and beyond.