NASA is responsible for space exploration and the management, archiving, and dissemination of space science data. Since 1958, the agency has spent about $24 billion on its space science program and successfully launched over 260 scientific missions. Data from these mission have expanded our understanding of the earth, its solar system, and the universe. Through these past missions NASA has acquired a massive volume of data stored on an estimated 1 million reels of magnetic tape for immediate and long-term scientific use. The nation's long-term ability to monitor changes in the earth's environment, such as the depletion of ozone and the destruction of tropical rain forests, may depend on data from early missions. Future missions are expected to produce additional volumes of data unparalleled in NASA's history, and will likely require the use of advanced data storage technologies. Many of the data from NASA missions are irreplaceable. Government agencies are required to follow specific regulations in the management, maintenance and storage of magnetic tapes to ensure the long-term preservation of data, the prompt disposal of unneeded tapes, and the efficient management of storage resources. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) are responsible for periodic reviews of NASA's data management and archival activities. The General Accounting Office (GAO) has identified a number of problem areas, some of which are being addressed by NASA. However, without the allocation of adequate resources to improve the tape storage and archival facilities, the continuing deterioration of the magnetic tapes may result in the permanent loss of irreplaceable space science data. NASA also needs to continue to improve its space science data management, to effectively and efficiently handle the massive volumes of data expected from its future missions.
Space Operations: NASA Is Not Properly Safeguarding Valuable Data from past Missions
1990
78 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronautics , Information Systems , Management Information Systems , Research Program Administration & Technology Transfer , Data management , Data storage , Records management , Security , NASA programs , Congressional reports , Degradation , Deterioration , Magnetic storage , Magnetic tapes , Data acquisition , Data retrieval , Data systems , Space programs , Space exploration
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