White House orders review of NASA program

The White House has ordered a complete outside review of NASA’s manned space program, including plans to visit the moon.

Officials want a report from an independent panel by August. White House science adviser John Holdren said Thursday that the panel will look at the design of new spacecraft to replace the space shuttle. He said it will also examine the five-year gap between the shuttle and the new moon vehicles. During that time, NASA would rely on the Russians for space travel.

NASA has already spent $6.9 billion on its plan to return to the moon. Former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine will head the review team.