Cost-conscious

A precursor to the NIAC program, which began in 1998, was suspended in 2007 after a cost-conscious U.S. Congress ordered a review of its effectiveness. A year later, a national panel of experts recommended that NASA continue investigating advanced concepts. Congress eventually gave the go-ahead to restore the program this year.

Mr. Osborn told the Railway Students, "that the running of the railways is a business. All levels of management and staff must become more cost-conscious and the pursuit of profitability must loom larger in decision-making."