Summary: The Advanced Solid Rocket Motor, one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) most controversial and expensive projects, is expected to give the space shuttle enough boost to lift it into orbit. The advanced motor program has been touted as a way to enhance the shuttle's safety and reliability and to increase its lift capacity by about 12,000 pounds. Although these benefits are still expected, the need for the advanced motor has declined since the program began. The new motor may not be used for either of the two payloads projected to need the additional lift capacity. In addition, two advisory groups have questioned whether NASA should develop a new motor when the existing redesigned motor has proven safe and reliable. The advanced motor's estimated development cost has increased in recent years by about 95 percent--to $3.25 billion--mainly because of expanding the development scope, increasing construction costs, and adding cost reserves. The schedule for the first advanced solid rocket motor flight has slipped by 2-1/2 years because of delays in awarding the development contract, funding constraints, and a redesign of the building where propellant is mixed and cast. Program officials said that program costs will ultimately exceed $3.25 billion because the fiscal year 1993 funding level will cause NASA to further stretch out the development schedule.
