NASA Model Budget Resources Available vs. Plans


KSC Next Gen Site ___Questions? Comments? <previous model \| The "ezNASA Model" - A Model for Strategic Budget Analysis
February 12, 2010 Introduction The United States National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) is at the start of great change in the continued exploration of Space. NASA has begun to shift resources within the Human Space Flight enterprise portion of NASA. In broad strokes there have been 4 functions within NASA's spaceflight portfolio. These are: Space Transportation Operations & Production Our Human Presence in Space Basic Research & Development of Future Space Systems Future Program Development In more familiar terms these same 4 roles in 2009 are: Space Transportation Operations & Production The Space Shuttle & Space Flight Support With this function to be the Constellation Dual-Vehicle based Architecture, once operational Our Human Presence in Space The International Space Station With eventually a move to a presence on the Moon, an outpost, and eventually missions to Mars Basic Research & Development of Future Space Systems The Exploration Advanced Capabilities Projects, Constellation Centric Future Program Development The Constellation Project Orion spacecraft Ares I launch vehicle Ares V launch vehicle Altair Lunar Lander Leading in to 2010, following the the 2009 Review of Human Space Flight Plans Committee Report and the resulting changes in approach reflected in the NASA FY 11 budget, these 4 roles would be: Space Transportation Operations & Production The Space Shuttle & Space Flight Support, partly in to 2011, with Space Flight Support continuing out With this function to be the Commercial Cargo & Crew systems below, once operational Our Human Presence in Space The International Space Station With flexible missions expanding our human presence in space as sustainable capabilities evolve Basic Research & Development of Future Space Systems Space Research & Technology, Far Term Focus (working with the below developments) Future Program Development Exploration Technology & Demonstration Heavy Lift & Propulsion Research & Development Commercial Cargo project Commercial Crew project A traditional budgetary view can reveal data, but it does not provide a strategic perspective, ease of gaming capabilities or a quick way to look at alternate scenarios. A sample NASA budget data set is shown in Figure 1.0. Figure 1.0: Sample NASA "e-Budget" Data, with nearly 16,000 rows of entries, using a system of categories derived from breaking down work products by program ownership. A stark data view as in Figure 1.0 is useful for seeing: Amounts vs. ownership Products vs. ownership Projected budgets (ahead 6-years, as an official part of the federal budget process, and beyond through 2020, for internal planning purposes) Models and Strategic Budget Analysis For a strategic perspective much more is required than an abundance of data. Funds are used to accomplish functions, secure capabilities and achieve goals. A model of the budget with such a functional perspective is very different than an analysis of budget data, a compilation by simple organizational ownership, or numbers lacking metrics. Modeling represents a system so as to gain insights assuming diverse situations as shown in Figure 2.0 and Figure 3.0. Figure 2.0: A view of plans pre-FY 2011 budget release, showing the Constellation program interspersed with newer data. Scenarios can be played out in models that consider metrics and goals. Potential metrics include: Space Transportation costs as a percent (%) of the NASA budget Space Transportation costs as a percent (%) of the Human Space Flight budget % of total dollars to research & development Percent of agency budget in Science & Aeronautics vs. Space Flight over time Percent of agency budget in overhead functions Figure 3.0: A view of plans post-FY 2011 budget release, showing new program direction while gaming top-line budget variables, Space Flight Support scenarios, and transitions. Future Work Address the total expenses for space transportation outside of Shuttle. In Space Flight Support, as the Launch Services Program office In the Science enterprise, as funds assigned to projects that require a launch, usually an expendable launch vehicle to be acquired as a service through the Launch Services Program office. Develop a view that breaks out overhead into it's parts by function. These are highlighted here using a more private sector term first and the NASA typical description second - Corporate / Program Management Sourcing / Procurement Finance Human Resources Middle / Executive Management Environmental Management Plant / Facility Services Includes Local Supply Chain Management / Logistics among other functions I/T / Information Technology Physical Security Safety & Quality / Safety & Mission Assurance Establish views for what is produced vs. what is funded. Metric for dollars per pound to orbit Metric for dollars per seat to orbit Metrics for total throughput per year, cargo or crew, to orbit vs. expenses Supply Chain metrics For further information about the ezNASA Model and this analysis work contact Edgar Zapata at NASA Kennedy Space Center. _____________________ Also see: Space Transportation Systems Affordability, Responsiveness, Reliability and Safety _____________________ Website Contact: Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center