NASA’s position as a leader in global innovation and a driver of technological advancement in the United States could be jeopardized by a mismatch between its budget and its mission scope, an overemphasis on short-term goals, and crumbling infrastructure, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The report, released on Tuesday September 10th, 2024, was requested by Congress as part of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, underscores that NASA’s long-term sustainability is at risk unless significant changes are made. While the space agency continues to be a catalyst for cutting-edge technology, the report identifies critical areas where systemic issues are threatening NASA’s ability to meet national objectives.
Key Challenges: Budget and Infrastructure
Among the most pressing concerns, the report highlights NASA’s aging infrastructure, with 83% of the agency’s facilities surpassing their design life, dating back to the 1960s. The report describes how maintaining these outdated assets is not only expensive but also impedes NASA’s ability to attract and retain top-tier talent. This infrastructure issue is compounded by budget mismatches that have left the agency struggling to balance its groundbreaking mission work with the need to invest in long-term institutional support.
“NASA has triumphed over unique challenges in its 66-year history, becoming a beacon of innovation and national pride,” said Norman Augustine, the committee chair and former CEO of Lockheed Martin. “However, its greatest threat now is much more mundane – a tendency to prioritize short-term accomplishments over long-term sustainability.”
This trend is not occurring in isolation, Augustine stressed. NASA’s budget, which has remained relatively flat in terms of purchasing power, is stretched too thin to cover the increasing complexity and scope of its missions. The space agency is often forced to focus on near-term projects, sacrificing necessary long-term planning and investment.
Challenges in Talent and Technology
Another issue NASA faces is the competition for skilled talent. With rapid technological advancements and increased competition from commercial space ventures and other space agencies, NASA struggles to retain an expert workforce. The commercial space sector, in particular, has attracted many highly skilled workers with lucrative offers, which complicates NASA’s efforts to remain competitive.
In addition to talent challenges, NASA’s reliance on commercial partners for critical mission components has introduced risks. The report warns that while partnerships with private companies have allowed NASA to achieve significant progress, excessive outsourcing, especially for early-stage work, can erode NASA’s own technical expertise. This, in turn, could threaten NASA’s leadership in areas where commercial partners may not be able or willing to operate long term.
“Excessive reliance on certain contracts can distance NASA’s workforce from hands-on mission work, leading to a loss of critical expertise,” the report states. “This compromises NASA’s ability to provide oversight and introduces mission risk if commercial providers fail or choose to exit the market.”
Aging Infrastructure: A Growing Crisis
The report outlines how NASA’s outdated infrastructure, such as wind tunnels essential for aerospace research, is becoming a significant bottleneck for the agency. Key systems like the Deep Space Network, crucial for space communications, are overstressed by increased demand from international partners and NASA’s own expanding mission portfolio.
Without sufficient investment in its technical infrastructure, NASA could struggle to achieve its future goals. The report suggests the establishment of a working capital fund, similar to those used by other federal agencies like the General Services Administration, to address the backlog of maintenance and improvements needed across NASA’s facilities. Such a fund could be financed by both government appropriations and the fees paid by external users of NASA’s infrastructure.
Short-Term Focus Undermining Long-Term Goals
The report draws attention to the lack of consistent long-term planning at NASA, citing the scarcity of congressional authorization acts—only two have passed since 2017—as a major barrier. Without regular congressional mandates, NASA finds it difficult to project its workforce and technology needs far into the future, leading to a focus on short-term goals.
This short-term focus has had cascading effects across the agency, negatively impacting contracting, research and development, and budgeting. Augustine and the committee stress that NASA must rebalance its priorities, investing in its workforce, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology development—even if it means delaying the launch of new missions.
A Path Forward: NASA 2040 Review
Despite these challenges, the report notes that NASA’s recently initiated “NASA 2040” review offers hope for addressing many of these systemic issues. The NASA 2040 review, which is still in its early stages, could provide a strategic roadmap for ensuring the agency’s long-term viability.
In the short term, however, the report urges NASA to work with Congress to secure the necessary funding and policy support to address its most pressing challenges. It recommends a variety of strategies, including a new human capital initiative to ensure NASA retains a skilled and motivated workforce, and increased investment in internal research and development to keep pace with technological advancements.
The Balance Between Public and Private Partnerships
While NASA has been a key player in fostering the thriving U.S. commercial space industry, the report emphasizes the need for balance. Outsourcing too much could undermine NASA’s internal capabilities. The agency should focus on maintaining advanced skills in-house, particularly for mission-critical technologies not available commercially.
The NASEM report suggests that NASA needs to make some tough choices. As it strives to balance its mission of exploration and innovation with financial and institutional realities, prioritizing long-term sustainability is essential. Without a course correction, NASA risks falling short of its potential in the coming decades, jeopardizing not just its own future but also the U.S.’s standing in space exploration and technological leadership.
The report, sponsored by NASA, was conducted by the Committee on NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology. You can download the full report here.
