Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                            June 24, 1994
(Phone:  202/358-0902)


RELEASE: 94-103


NASA ADMINISTRATOR RELEASES STATEMENT ON GAO REPORT

   "This GAO report is a validation of what we've been saying for 
months -- Russian participation in the Space Station is a good deal for 
the American taxpayer," NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said.  "It 
will save hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars.  For the 
American taxpayer, it's a win-win situation.  More Space Station for 
less cost."

   "I'm particularly pleased with the GAO's positive assessment of how 
valuable the Russian contribution will be in terms of significantly 
improving the capability for science and engineering research.  The 
report echoes what members of the Vest Committee said about the 
program.  I see this report as further validation of the value the 
Russians bring to the Space Station program."

   Goldin said the benefits of Russian cooperation include:

 ù the Space Station will be completed 15 months earlier, will have 
nearly double the     volume, double the power, twice as many research 
modules and a larger crew
 ù flight-proven space hardware which would cost the U.S. billions to 
develop
 ù access to Mir for collecting valuable science 
 ù access to Mir to check out our hardware, which reduces risk
 ù access to Mir to obtain early operational experience, which reduces 
risk

   The GAO report stated that about $746 million from two extra Shuttle 
flights should be scored against the $2 billion in savings from Russian 
participation.  Goldin's response was, "We're going to fly eight 
Shuttle missions a year.  The point is, the money for those flights is 
in the budget; there's no additional costs due to Russian cooperation.

   "For the most part, the only quibble we have with the GAO is a 
book-keeping issue. The fact is, every nickel is accounted for in the 
NASA budget, and Russian cooperation will not cost the U.S. taxpayer 
one penny more - in fact I believe it will save us billions."


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   GAO also stated that the $400 million contract with the Russian 
Space Agency should be counted against the $2 billion savings.  Goldin 
said, "My personal view is the opportunity to use Mir to develop some 
of our own operational procedures and to test hardware in the real 
space environment could save us billions in the long run.  As our 
problems with the Intelsat satellite capture and repair mission proved, 
there's no place like space to test out your equipment before you 
commit it to flight.

   "The Russians bring flight-proven hardware to the program, and they 
have vastly more experience in long duration flight than the U.S., 
which will be of tremendous benefit to the International Space Station 
partnership," said Goldin.  "They have operated seven space stations 
and have three times (27 man-years) the experience on orbit compared to 
the U.S."

   Goldin added, "While there are tangible benefits to Russian 
cooperation, which the GAO report fairly and accurately points out, 
auditors cannot put a price tag on the intangible benefits of 
international cooperation.  It's good foreign policy, and it's good 
space policy.  The Cold War is over, and cooperation with the Russians 
demonstrates that former adversaries can join forces in a peaceful 
pursuit which will generate tremendous benefits for both nations."


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