GAO: NASA Projects Are Still Over Budget And Behind Schedule

GAO: NASA: Assessments of Major Projects

"The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) portfolio of major projects in the development stage of the acquisition process continues to experience cost increases and schedule delays. This marks the fifth year in a row that cumulative cost and schedule performance deteriorated (see figure). The cumulative cost growth is currently $9.6 billion, driven by nine projects; however, $7.1 billion of this cost growth stems from two projects--the James Webb Space Telescope and the Space Launch System. These two projects account for about half of the cumulative schedule delays. The portfolio also continues to grow, with more projects expected to reach development in the next year. The majority of projects are managing the effects of the pandemic by using cost and schedule reserves--extra money or time set aside to accommodate unforeseen risks or delays. However, the full effects of COVID-19 are not yet known, and these reserves may be insufficient for several projects."