Aerospace Testing: Promise of Closer NASA/DOD Cooperation Remains Largely Unfulfilled
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) operate several types of aerospace test facilities, including wind tunnels and rocket engine test stands. Since the end of the Cold War, Congress has been appropriating less money foraerospace programs. In response to declining budgets and reductions in personnel, NASA and DOD agreed in 1995 to perform essential aerospace testing on a more cooperative basis.1 The agencies recommended, in April 1996, that they establish joint working groups, or alliances, to assess and make recommendations on investments and other issues. As requested, we are providing you with the results of our review of NASAs and DODs cooperation since May 1996 to develop a national perspective on aerospace test facilities.2 Specifically, to assess the progress of cooperative efforts we determined (1) the extent to which NASA/DOD working groups (alliances) on major test facilities have been operating on a regular basis, (2) NASAs and DODs actions in response to a future need to test an engine for new Air Force rockets, (3) whether NASA and DOD prepared a congressionally required joint plan on rocket propulsion test facilities, and (4) whether NASA and DOD are implementing a DOD assessment teams recommendation in March 1997 to jointly manage with NASA certain aeronautical test facilities. This report includes a matter for congressional consideration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- AD1167585
Entities
People
- Allen Li
- Ambrose Mcgraw
- Dan Hoagland
- Frank Degnan
- Jeff Webster
- Maria Durant
- Mark Mcclarie
- Tom Mills
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office