13 years and $500 million for a stage adapter? Report justifies NASA cancellations.
NASA's Office of the Inspector General has released a report justifying the cancellation of several Artemis Program projects, including a new upper stage for the Space Launch System. Administrator Jared Isaacman cited excessive costs, years of delays, and a strategic shift toward lunar surface exploration as reasons for the pivot.
Why it matters
This reflects a significant shift in US space policy and fiscal management regarding long-term lunar exploration goals.
A lot of cash 13 years and $500 million for a stage adapter? Report justifies NASA cancellations. Contract values for these efforts ballooned from nearly $2.8 billion to $5.9 billion.
The report balances the administration's justification for cuts with the context of previous project failures and contractor grumbling.
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