Space Station: Russian Compliance With Safety Requirements
Abstract
This report discusses our ongoing work on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) International Space Station. We are currently responding to a request from the Committee Chairman to review Russian compliance with space station safety requirements. We plan to finalize our work and report on this issue next month. Today, we will address (1) significant areas where the Russian-built Zarya and Service Module do not comply with safety requirements, (2) NASA's review and approval of noncompliances and (3) whether NASA was due any compensation from the Zarya contractor for noncompliance or performance problems. NASA invited Russia to participate in the International Space Station program in 1993 with the expectation that Russian involvement would reduce the cost, speed up the schedule, and increase the usefulness of the space station. The Russian-built Zarya and Service Module are critical to the early stages of the space station's assembly. The Zarya module, launched by Russia in November 1998, provides the initial propulsion and guidance functions for the space station. Zarya was funded by NASA and is therefore considered a U.S. element of the space station. The Service Module, whose launch has been delayed until at least July 2000, will provide living quarters, life support systems, and guidance functions after docking with Zarya. Russia is funding, building, and launching the Service Module as part of its contribution to the space station. Russia also plans to contribute Progress resupply vehicles, Soyuz crew transfer and emergency return vehicles, a power platform, docking and stowage modules, and research modules.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA375270
Entities
People
- Allen Li
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office