Decaying Infrastructure: NASA's Aging Buildings Struggle to Keep Up with Technological Advancements

NASA is facing a funding crisis as its buildings and facilities are crumbling due to decades of under-investment. The majority of NASA's 5,300 facilities are beyond their designed lifespan, and maintenance costs are increasing while budgets remain stagnant. The agency has a $250 to $260 million annual maintenance gap, which is impacting its ability to effectively maintain its facilities. Congress has cut funding for NASA despite the agency's request for more. With a smaller budget, NASA has deferred 78 projects in the past four years, leading to dilapidation of buildings. The agency is exploring options such as prioritizing maintenance, selling off properties, and leasing non-mission critical facilities to raise funds. However, these measures are not enough to close the maintenance gap, and NASA is considering the long-term implications of the situation.