Bill Nelson

Secretary Teets, the GAO notes that between now and 2008, the DOD's estimated cost for space programs more than doubles going from $3.5 billion to $7.5 billion.

Mr. Levin, SBIRS-High is clearly a highly visible troubled program.

Mr. Levin, the GAO conclusion is that SBIRS-High is still a program in trouble.

Whenever you invite Senator McCain, it's never going to be boring.

The challenge is to have Congress have confidence in the cost.

Historically, space programs haven't done real well in their cost performance or their schedule performance.

Do you understand that there are those kinds of reserves in this program, or are they not?

I would be a strong advocate that when programs are initiated that there be full recognition of the funding required to do the program at that time.

It seemed that everybody in the world wouldn't allow there to be any reserves.

But the funding requirement isn't written down. It's not a specific funding requirement.

I certainly believe that the Government has to have the strong independent cost-estimating capability that Secretary Teets talked about.

I don't understand, Mr. Secretary, why you decided to exempt all space programs from the full funding requirement.

I would encourage you to hurry up because NASA has to make some decisions pretty soon about what its follow-on vehicle--if we're going to have a manned space program, they're going to have to start deciding that pretty quick.

Sounds to me that this is unprecedented and will virtually guarantee that the space programs continue to be chronically underfunded.

Let's go back to your comment earlier that NASA and DOD are cooperating on the programs.

When you shape up those figures, would you share them with the committee?

Mr. Secretary, do you expect to keep both contractors in the EELV for the next 5 years?

I suspect that Senator McCain might consider an offset of allowing both contractors to go forward in exchange for the resignation of some high level officers of the company.

Clearly, we've already seen other countries try to deny us.

We may have the beginning of a serious failure of oversight here.

Make us feel better about this, that the two of you don't know anything about this

I'm a little concerned if we have another Admiral Poindexter situation here where people are running amok

Will he have review of this formal process before it goes on up to the Secretary of Defense?

The question specifically is, will there be a regular formal process by which OSD ensures that these programs are meeting the requirements, they're on schedule, and they're within budget?

You will report to Secretary Wynne once he's confirmed or directly to OSD?