Posted: Tue, Nov 25, 2003, 8:30 AM ET (1330 GMT)
Implementing the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) will cost NASA an estimated $280 million, the agency revealed Monday. That cost estimate came from the release of an updated return-to-flight plan for the space shuttle. That cost covers a number of changes to the shuttle, such as improvements to its external tank to prevent foam from falling off during flight, as well as other reforms, notably the creation of an independent safety and engineering office. The costs described in the plan would come from the existing shuttle program budget, and do not represent any requested budget increase. NASA officials said the numbers released Monday were only preliminary estimates, and don't include an additional $152 million to cover the cost of the Columbia investigation itself.
