NASA Internal Memo: Maintaining Capability to Conduct the STS-135 Mission

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
December 23,2010

Reply to Ann of: Space Operations Mission Directorate

TO: Manager, International Space Station Program Manager, Space Shuttle Program
FROM: Associate Administrator for Space Operations
SUBJECT: Maintaining Capability to Conduct the STS-135 Mission

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-267) directs NASA to conduct the above referenced mission. As of this date, the Congress has not cleared final FY 2011 appropriations for the Federal government, including NASA. However, the FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act provides funding for most Federal departments and agencies, including NASA, through March 4, 2010, at FY 2010 enacted levels. Funding made available in this measure will enable NASA to work towards the STS-135 mission.

For this reason, I ask that you continue planning and preparations efforts to execute this mission in late June 2011 as currently planned. This includes maintaining the requisite workforce to safely conduct this mission and extending contracts if necessary. We must focus on STS-135 as a real mission as well as a Launch-On-Need capability for the STS-134. Without clarity in focus now we reduce the probability of safely executing this critical mission. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clear direction for the teams. STS-135 is critical to health of the International Space Station.

If there are any questions concerning this direction, please contact me immediately.

William H. Gerstenmaier