To date, NASA has taken a series of actions to keep the program from exceeding its funding limitations and financial reserves. NASA is accounting for these actions in ways that enable it to report its continuing compliance with the funding limitations. However, to show continuing compliance in some cases, NASA has had to redefine the portion of the program subject to the funding limitations. Thus, the value of the current limitations as a funding control mechanism is questionable.
In addition to their effects on space station development activities, these recovery plan steps place additional requirements on the space shuttle program. Under the plan, the space shuttle may be needed to launch and deliver the Interim Control Module and perform station resupply missions now expected to be done by Russia. Although the full impact of the recovery plan on the space shuttle program is not yet known, the plan has already resulted in the addition of two shuttle flights during the station's assembly.
Cato Institute: Shut Down NASA
