NASA Inspector General Issues Stern Report on Delayed SLS Mobile Launcher Project

NASA’s efforts to return humans to the moon have come under renewed scrutiny following a report critical of its progress.

The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released a damning report on the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML-2) project. ML-2 is needed to transport NASA’s massive spacecraft. Space launch system (SLS) moon rocket to the launch pad.

The OIG report highlights significant cost overruns and delays. The project was initially estimated to cost $383 million with a March 2023 completion date, but the cost has now ballooned to an estimated $1.8 billion. The OIG believes the final cost could rise to $2.7 billion — more than six times the original cost estimate — by the time contractor Bechtel delivers ML-2. Completion is now expected in September 2027.

Bechtel was awarded the contract in 2019 on a cost-plus basis. According to the report, the company faced technical challenges, including issues with steel fabrication and weight management of the massive ground support structure.

Mobile Launcher 2 is required to transport the upgraded, larger and heavier SLS Block 1B rocket to the pad, starting with NASA’s Artemis4 mission. The structure includes a base platform and a tower with various systems for fuel, power and crew access.

The report significantly raises concerns that the project could suffer further delays and hold up future projects. Artemis missions.

Related: Space Launch System: NASA’s Mega Rocket for Artemis Moon Missions

“We expect the ML-2 will not be ready for launch until spring 2029, surpassing the planned launch date of Artemis IV in September 2028,” the report said.

The report recommended that NASA learn lessons from the ML-2 project regarding acquisition and project management and analyze the feasibility of using a fixed-price contract. NASA partially agreed with these recommendations and has planned corrective actions.

The new OIG report follows recent reports that Boeing’s quality control overtime at the SLS and heat shield problems that the Orion crewed spacecraft built for NASA by Lockheed Martin.

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