“Reassessing Space Shuttle Upgrades Strategy”; Letter from OSF AA Fred Gregory to JSC Center Director

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Headquarters

Washington, DC 20546-0001

March 25, 2002

To: Johnson Space Center

AA/Center Director

From: M/Associate Administrator for Space flight

Subject: Reassessing Space Shuttle Upgrades Strategy

As discussed at the March 14, 2002 Human Exploration and Development of
Space (HEDS) Program Management Council (PMC), the current Space Shuttle
Upgrade Strategy was based on the premise of ensuring the Space Shuttle can
fly safely until 2012. I request that you develop a strategy as part of
initial planning efforts to identify upgrades and supportability investment
that may be required to maintain the Space Shuttle fleet capability to fly
safely through 2020.

At a minimum, this activity should include an assessment of Space Shuttle
elements, supportability, and upgrade candidates, ground support equipment
supportability and upgrade candidates, and infrastructure supportability and
upgrade candidates. The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) should be prepared to
discuss philosophy and potential costs, risks, and benefits of upgrading
systems versus ensuring Space Shuttle elements, GSE, and infrastructure
supportability through 2020. The assessment should include identification of
critical skills that must be available to enable the Shuttle or its sucessor
to fly safely.

The Acting Deputy Associate Administrator of Space Shuttle, Parker Counts,
shall integrate the policy, strategy, and schedule requirements of this
assignment with the Space Shuttle Program Manager. The Space Shuttle
Program Manager will be responsible for executing the activity. No
commitment or decision has been made by Headquarters regarding Shuttle
activities beyond 2012.

Frederick D. Gregory

Associate Administrator for Space Flight