Complex math stumps NASA, wastes millions on incorrect contractor payments

By Michal Conger

Published November 19, 2013 5:00am ET

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Complex math stumps NASA, wastes millions on incorrect contractor payments — NASA's Office of the Inspector General noted a concept at the agency known as the "Hubble philosophy" -- that as long as a project works, NASA will overlook time and budget overages. (AP Photo/NASA) | Anonymous

If you thought math wouldn’t be a problem for rocket scientists, you’d be wrong.

NASA has been overpaying contractors because the math officials there use to calculate performance awards is “overly complex,” leading to $66.4 million in potential overpayments, according to a new report by the space agency’s Office of the Inspector General.

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