Environmental Satellites: Launch Delayed; NOAA Faces Key Decisions on Timing of Future Satellites
Abstract
NOAA is procuring the next generation of polar and geostationary weather satellites to replace aging satellites that are approaching the end of their useful lives. GAO has reported that gaps in polar satellite coverage and in backup coverage for geostationary satellites are likely in the near future. Given the criticality of satellite data to weather forecasts, concerns that problems and delays on the new satellite programs will result in gaps in the continuity of critical satellite data, and the impact such gaps could have on the health and safety of the U.S. population, GAO added mitigating weather satellite gaps to its High-Risk List in 2013 and it remained on the list in 2015. GAO was asked to testify, among other things, on the cause and impact of a recent launch delay on the GOES-R program, and the status and key remaining challenges on the JPSS program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 10, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1106005
Entities
People
- David A. Powner
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office