A diverse team of world-renowned experts, including two
Nobel laureates and the world’s most famous heart surgeon,
make up an independent task force created by NASA
Administrator Daniel S. Goldin to take a focused look at the
budget and management challenges facing the International
Space Station program.
“In the last year, we have successfully carried out all of
the 14 scheduled assembly missions to the International Space
Station. We did so with unbelievable precision and execution,
completing the second phase of space station construction,”
said Administrator Goldin. “It’s an incredible management and
engineering achievement, but we must ensure it is carried out
in a more efficient and effective manner.”
The ISS Management and Cost Evaluation Task Force (IMCE) will
help NASA address the recent cost growth on the program by
assessing the quality of the ISS cost estimates as well as
program assumptions and requirements, and identifying high-
risk budget areas and potential risk mitigation strategies.
“Since April, we’ve been working to select a team of
outstanding innovators in the fields of science, engineering,
finance and business to advise NASA and the Administration
how to maximize the scientific returns on the station, while
living within the guidelines of the President’s budget,”
added Administrator Goldin. “The financial management of the
International Space Station needs an overhaul, but we’re
going to do it in a way that doesn’t sacrifice safety.”
Two Nobel Prize winners are among the members of the IMCE
Task Force. Dr. Richard Roberts shared the1993 Nobel Prize in
Physiology of Medicine for the discovery of “split genes.” He
is currently the head of the Department of Bioinformatics and
Research at New England Biolabs, Beverly, MA.
Another panel member, Dr. Robert Richardson, is Vice-Provost
for Research at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and shared
the 1996 Nobel Prize for the discovery of superfluidity in
the isotope helium-3 (3He).
Another prominent task force member is world-renowned medical
pioneer, Dr. Michael DeBakey, Chancellor Emeritus of Baylor
College of Medicine in Texas and an active staff member at
The Methodist Hospital of Houston. Dr. DeBakey is
internationally recognized for his innovations in open-heart
surgery and his recent pioneering work in the field of
telemedicine.
Administrator Goldin appointed Thomas Young chair of the IMCE
Task Force. Young, a former president at Martin Marietta
Corp., managed numerous complex and technically challenging
programs in government as well as private industry. He
recently led the Mars Program Independent Assessment Team
which reviewed NASA’s approach to robotic exploration.
The chair and the other members of the IMCE Task Force will
report to the NASA Advisory Council (NAC).
“This panel has been empowered to leave no stone unturned. We
have experts in all fields that have the capacity to dig deep
to help us restructure the business and financial approach of
this program, added Administrator Goldin. The task force will
identify opportunities for maximizing capability to meet
priority research program needs within the planned ISS budget
and International Partner contributions. In addition, it will
assess and refine cost estimates for potential U.S.-funded
enhancements.
A Financial Management Team (FMT) and a Cost Analysis Support
Team (CAST) will support the IMCE Task Force. The FMT will
assist the IMCE Task Force in reviewing the financial
management tools used in the development and operation of the
International Space Station, and making Agency-wide
recommendations for improvements. The CAST will assess the
quality of the space station estimates in an effort to
establish cost credibility.
In empowering the external team, Administrator Goldin stated
that, in addition to technical excellence, it is essential
that NASA maintain strict financial and management
accountability. The task force will review management reforms
in the ISS Program Management Action Plan and may make
recommendations for additional reforms.
The panel will report its findings to the NAC by Nov. 1,
2001. The NAC will consider and formally present its
recommendations to the NASA Administrator for an official
Agency response.
-end-
and Cost Evaluation (IMCE) Task Force
Marietta Corp., and former director of NASA’s Viking missions
to Mars. Member of the National Academy of Engineering
formerly a Senior Navy Official with the National
Reconnaissance Office
Science Group
of the Baylor College of Medicine
University; shared 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics
Bioinformatics/Research, New England Biolabs; shared 1993
Nobel Prize in Medicine
Sciences, Columbia University and President of the Society
for Biological Rhythms
Engineering Group
Space Alliance and former Executive Vice-President of
Rockwell International
Group and former Director of Mission Operations and Data
Systems at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory
Laboratories, former Space Shuttle commander and member of
the NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
engineering, Stanford University, original director of the
Defense Department’s Global Positioning System Program and
member of the National Academy of Engineering
Technology, Naval Research Laboratory
Brigadier General Pete Worden, PhD, Vice-Director of
Operations. United States Space Command
Business, Finance Group
Bechtel Group, Inc. and a member of the National Academy of
Engineering
Capital, the Carlyle Group and former Executive Associate
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Operating Officer of the Metro Machine Corp., and former
Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet
Officer, McDermott International and former president of the
Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics
