NASA’s Chief Explains Cutbacks in Space Station

WASHINGTON — The Clinton Administration wants to cut back on the proposed space station because it fears the project eventually could gut the nation’s remaining space science programs, the head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Wednesday.

In his first public explanation of the White House’s surprise decision to redesign the troubled space station, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said President Clinton wants to reduce its $30-billion development cost and cut the long-term operational costs in half.

Those costs have been variously estimated at between $60 billion and $118 billion over a 30-year period.

Cutting back on the space station will have a major impact in Orange County, home to McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. in Huntington Beach.

One of the project’s three prime contractors, McDonnell Douglas holds station contracts worth about $3.5 billion and employs 1,500 workers on the project.