The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued an audit stating that NASA’s acquisition management procedures are under the former's "high risk" list due to potential program delays and cost increases for the third consecutive year.
GAO said in the report released Wednesday that NASA’s project costs reached 31 percent over the baseline since May 2019 and that “delays are likely” for the Artemis I deep-space exploration mission.
GAO also found that NASA “underreported cost growth” for the Artemis mission's Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule programs last year, according to the recent audit.
NASA has since announced plans to implement broader project management strategies and update its cost estimates throughout the acquisition procedures of its major programs.
The report serves as GAO’s 12th annual “Quick Look” audit on major NASA projects.
