NASA Administrator Calls for Redesign of Space Station

In a speech yesterday to the American Astronautical Society, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced a large-scale redesign of the space station. A 30 to 45 member team, headed by Joe Shea, is to have the redesign ready by June 1.

Details of the guidelines for station redesign, largely driven by budget pressures, will become known in the next few weeks. In addition to Goldin’s remarks, an article in today’s Washington Post provided further information on Office of Management and Budget instructions to NASA on station redesign requirements:

Construction is to cost significantly less than the now estimated figure of $30 billion. NASA has spent approximately $8 billion.

Station assembly is to require drastically fewer than the now scheduled 20 space shuttle flights.

Minimal space walk activity is to be required for station assembly.

A reduction by approximately one-half the projected operating cost is required.

Provision is to be made for long-duration materials and life sciences research.

“Not necessarily permanently manned” capabilities will be required.

To remain operational for 10 to 15 years (current plans called for 30 years.)

To reach orbit and research capability by 1997.

In his remarks, Goldin said that as currently designed, the station “is simply too expensive.” Referring to the administration’s desire for NASA to be actively involved in strengthening our national technology base, Goldin said that a station redesign was the only way to avoid reducing the agency’s support for space science. In referring to the station, he noted that “the litmus test of success will be the effectiveness of the science, and the ability of the user community to take scientific and commercial advantage of what will amount to NASA’s tenth field center....”

There is little congressional reaction to Goldin’s announcement. In an unrelated development yesterday, during consideration of a fiscal year 1994 budget resolution, House Budget Committee Democrats turned back amendments to reduce funding for the space station and the superconducting super collider. However, in approving this five year spending plan guiding authorizing and appropriating committees, the budget committee approved an additional $3.8 billion reduction in spending for general science, space and technology beyond that requested by the Clinton Administration. Final action on this spending plan is scheduled by early next month. There is also some discussion that components of the president’s $16.2 billion short term stimulus program, which includes an additional $207 million for the National Science Foundation this year, may be delayed or dropped.