spacetoday.net: Congress voices concerns about shuttle safety upgrades

Posted: Fri, Sep 7, 2001, 7:19 PM ET (2319 GMT)
STS-104 rollout (NASA/KSC)

Members of Congress voiced their concerns regarding the funding of shuttle safety upgrades during a hearing Thursday. During a hearing of a Senate subcommittee on science, technology, and space, officials said the growing budget overruns on the International Space Station may lead to cuts and delays in upgrades to the space shuttle fleet designed to improve the orbiters' safety. Among those upgrades that may be affected by the budget situation is work to develop an electric auxiliary power system to replace the shuttle's current hydrazine-based system, according to Aerospace Daily. NASA officials said they need over $200 million added to the fiscal year 2002 budget in order to fly the six missions scheduled for that fiscal year; if the money is not added some missions may be delayed or cancelled in order to fly the remaining missions safely.