GAO: NASA still has accounting problems

October 28, 2005

NASA's inability to balance its checkbook by tens of millions could hurt the space agency's chances to return to the moon by 2018, federal auditors said.

The Government Accountability Office said NASA has been advised to make 45 changes in its accounting procedures, but so far only three have been fixed and 13 others partly fixed, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

"The lack of reliable, day-to-day information continues to threaten NASA's ability to manage its programs, oversee its contractors and effectively allocate its budget across its numerous projects and programs," said Gregory Kutz of the GAO.

However, NASA Chief Financial Officer Gwendolyn Sykes said the agency has made progress and had fixed 34 of the problems previously cited.

Several years ago, NASA's accounting problems led to a surprise $4.5 billion cost overrun on the international space station, said Allen Li of the GAO.

Some lawmakers said the agency's cost overruns might jeopardize NASA's $100 billion moon-Mars venture.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - 3.5 /5 (4 votes)


October 28, 2005 all stories

Comments: 0

3.5 /5 (4 votes)
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this

  • hide
  • Related Stories

  • NASA on track for Monday space shuttle launch
    created Nov 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover
    created Nov 12, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Seattle team wins $900,000 in Space Elevator Games
    created Nov 07, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Success in 'space elevator' competition (Update 3)
    created Nov 05, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • New concept may enhance Earth-Mars communication
    created Oct 16, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Other News

New computer-developed map shows more extensive valley network on Mars

New computer-developed map shows more extensive valley network on Mars

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created 41 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting the Red Planet once had an ocean.


Supervolcano eruption -- in Sumatra -- deforested India 73,000 years ago

Supervolcano eruption -- in Sumatra -- deforested India 73,000 years ago

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created 2 hours ago | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

A new study provides "incontrovertible evidence" that the volcanic super-eruption of Toba on the island of Sumatra about 73,000 years ago deforested much of central India, some 3,000 miles from the epicenter, ...


Is global warming unstoppable?

Space & Earth / Environment

created 11 hours ago | popularity 3.7 / 5 (18) | comments 19

In a provocative new study, a University of Utah scientist argues that rising carbon dioxide emissions - the major cause of global warming - cannot be stabilized unless the world's economy collapses or society builds the ...


Intensive land management leaves Europe without carbon sinks

Intensive land management leaves Europe without carbon sinks

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created 5 hours ago | popularity 3.4 / 5 (5) | comments 0

A new calculation of Europe's greenhouse gas balance shows that emissions of methane and nitrous oxide tip the balance and eliminate Europe's terrestrial sink of greenhouse gases.


Scientist: Leak of climate e-mails appalling

Space & Earth / Environment

created 5 hours ago | popularity 3 / 5 (7) | comments 6

(AP) -- A leading climate change scientist whose private e-mails are included in thousands of documents that were stolen by hackers and posted online said Sunday the leaks may have been aimed at undermining next month's ...