NASA will apparently not be suspending all work on the development of the Triana as requested by Congress. Instead, NASA is using creative accounting to keep the program going in "hibernation mode" . One look at the Triana project's Spacecraft Bus Integration and Test Schedule will show you that things continue to be planned for - and worked - at a reduced, but steady pace until next year.

According to sources at NASA, the Triana project team is currently working in a "hibernation mode". In other words, contracts will continue to be funded using approximately $4 million of FY 1999 money and $1.5 million of FY 2000 Continuing Resolution money. The Triana project plans on operating in this "hibernation mode" through 15 January 2000. The Triana project is also actively recruiting NASA civil servants so as to replace contractors because federal engineers are considered to be "free" i.e. their labor is not charged against Triana funds.

According to (H. Rept. 106-379) Conference report on H.R. 2684 FY 2000 Appropriations for VA/HUD and independent agencies

"EARTH SCIENCES

The conferees have not terminated the Triana program as the House had proposed. Instead, the conferees direct NASA to suspend all work on the development of the Triana satellite using funds made available by this appropriation until the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has completed an evaluation of the scientific goals of the Triana mission. The conferees expect the NAS to move expeditiously to complete its evaluation. In the event of a favorable report from the NAS, NASA may not launch Triana prior to January 1, 2001. The conferees have no objection to NASA's reserving funds made available by this appropriation for potential termination costs. The conferees recognize that, if a favorable report is rendered by the NAS, there will be some additional cost resulting from the delay."

Included below is the Triana project's Spacecraft Bus Integration and Test Schedule dated 27 October 1999. This certainly does not give the impression of a project that has "suspended all work ".

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