NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) could use some improvement in the problem-tracking department, according to a report by the space agency’s Inspector General.

The 94-page report, released last week, found that the Problem Reporting and Corrective Action (PRACA) system in place at KSC does not fully support its goals for NASA’s space shuttle program and contains “inaccurate and incomplete data.” The Inspector General’s audit - dubbed “Space Shuttle Program Problem Reporting and Corrective Action Process at Kennedy Space Center Needs Improvement” - also stated that the need for PRACA system improvement in the shuttle program has been cited before in 10 previous NASA reports spanning March 2000 and June 2005, and made recommendations to improve the problem tracking tool.

Wayne Hale, NASA’s space shuttle program manager, said Monday that the PRACA system is very important at KSC, and that the Inspector General report’s recommendations revolved around how notations are made for the causes of some issues.

“We do look for trends in failures in hardware and workmanship to try to relieve problems before they become serious,” Hale said. “We look forward to improving that process in the future.”

Click here for the NASA’s 2006  Inspector General reports.