NASA has established an independent task force "to take a focused look at the budget and management challenges facing the International Space Station [ISS]".
The move comes as the ISS budget overrun tops $4.8 billion, with stringent cost-cutting measures already in place. After 14 scheduled assembly missions achieved "with unbelievable precision and execution, we must ensure that [the ISS] is carried out in a more efficient and effective manner", says Dan Goldin, the space agency's administrator.
"The financial management of the ISS needs an overhaul, but we're going to do it in a way that doesn't sacrifice safety," says Goldin, adding that the ISS must "maximise the scientific returns".
The ISS Management and Cost Evaluation Task Force will report its findings by 1 November. The group is under the chairmanship of Thomas Young, former president of Martin Marietta and a veteran of NASA investigations. The task force will include scientists, managers and engineers.
India is considering performing life sciences experiments on the ISS. Dr K Kasturirangan, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), says ISRO will work as a facilitator, adding that it has already received proposals from several Indian universities and research organisations.Source: Flight International
