NASA Must Reconsider Operations Pricing Policy to Compensate for Cost Growth on the Space Transportation System

摘要

NASA's Shuttle pricing policy, established 5 years ago and based on average pricing over 12 years of operations, combined with increasing Shuttle operations costs, has created a situation where NASA must absorb the higher costs of operations for all users in the early years. At the same time, because of budget cutbacks, NASA must seek additional appropriations or delay or cancel its own research programs. The projected average Shuttle launch cost has increased 73 percent from $16.1 million in June 1976 to $27.9 million in September 1980 (1975 dollars). Fixed user prices based on the June 1976 cost data will result in a $1.2 billion NASA subsidy to other users through 1985 (1975 dollars). GAO recommends that NASA's Administrator reassess the Space Transportation System pricing policy to establish a more equitable price to all users.