Audit of the Mars Sample Return Program

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Date Issued

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Submitting OIG

National Aeronautics and Space Administration OIG

Other Participating OIGs

National Aeronautics and Space Administration OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Report Number

IG-24-008

Report Description

The Mars Sample Return Program is one of the most complex, demanding, and ambitious robotic science missions ever undertaken. Before authorizing whether to advance the program to its next phase, we recommend that NASA stabilize design for key program elements, ensure cost and schedule estimates fully account for the program’s complexity, and consider all launch scenarios.

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
Ensure the MSR Program establishes a stable CCRS design prior to establishing the life-cycle cost and schedule estimate at KDP-C, incorporating recommendations from the 2023 IRB as appropriate
2	No	$0	$0
Ensure the life-cycle cost and schedule estimates properly incorporate MSR Program complexity and performance as factors and do not only focus on external cost growth impacts and ongoing design issues.
3	No	$0	$0
Ensure the Agency Program Management Council is provided with a set of potential launch scenarios by KDP-C, including life-cycle cost and schedule estimates and an associated Joint Cost and Schedule Confidence Level for each.