Goldin's interpretation of the 1999 failures was that JPL had found the 'floor' below which costs could not be driven without too much risk. He relented on costs, appointed a new Mars program manager, and JPL began an effort to codify design principles and testing standards for all future missions. Several missions started prior to 2000 continued as 'faster-better-cheaper' projects (Stardust, for example), and were very successful. But projects initiated after 2000 were held to stricter standards, and costs rose accordingly. Faster-better-cheaper was over.
Daniel Goldin, NASA Administrator from 1992 to 2001. + Full image
Print this page
