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ExpectMore.govExpectMore.gov home pageEXPECT FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO PERFORM WELL, AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.
Program Assessment

Program

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Space and Flight Support

Space and Flight Support (SFS) encompasses four distinct programs that provide critical, Agency-level services for a wide range of NASA and other customers. These programs ensure that vital communications, launch support, rocket testing, and astronaut health services are ready to support current and future Agency needs.

Rating

What This Rating Means

PERFORMING
Moderately Effective

In general, a program rated Moderately Effective has set ambitious goals and is well-managed. Moderately Effective programs likely need to improve their efficiency or address other problems in the programs' design or management in order to achieve better results.
  • The set of four distinct services within this program offer comprehensive space and flight support to NASA and other customers. The program was generally effective in meeting existing needs such as reliable communication and navigation services for space missions, safe and cost-effective access to space on commercial launch vehicles, and rocket testing supporting current and future NASA programs.
  • NASA has taken several steps to further improve program strategic planning through the increased use of independent evaluations, including one by the National Research Council examining Space Communications and one by the National Academy of Public Administration on Launch Services. It also has new metrics to measure performance and achievement of intended outcomes in each area.
  • NASA had achieved the majority of its performance goals within the Space and Flight Support program. As NASA's mission requirements evolve through Shuttle retirement and implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration, the program continues to evaluate its measures to ensure that they remain ambitious and relevant.

Improvement Plan

About Improvement Plans

We are taking the following actions to improve the performance of the program:

  • Comparing efficiency data against established targets and benchmark these results to similar services available in private industry or other emerging providers to ensure best value to the government
  • Develop a plan to assesses the most cost-effective method to sustain necessary program capabilities post-Shuttle retirement and tracks their performance during this period of possible reduced demand
  • For the time between Shuttle retirement and human lunar operations, identify and track changing Space Comm requirements for human & robotic exploration that may impact program budget or performance

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