Space Acquisitions: DOD Needs More Guidance on Decisions to Store Satellites

Abstract

Most of the Department of Defense's (DOD) current, major satellite acquisition programs are in the later stages of acquisition, with the initial satellites having been designed, produced, and launched into orbit while additional satellites of the same design are being produced. Several of the satellites now being produced will be placed in storage before being launched - either in facilities on the ground or on orbit in space. Recent challenges, including a fiscal climate of reduced funds, have led DOD to consider efforts that could significantly change the way it acquires satellites, which may also affect how and when it stores satellites. As DOD considers such changes, it is important that DOD has sufficient insight into the acquisition costs - including storage of satellites - to minimize the governments risk of paying contractors more than necessary.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 09, 2014
Accession Number
AD1170017

Entities

People

  • Art Gallegos
  • Cristina T. Chaplain
  • Jean Lee
  • Marie Ahearn
  • R. E. Devan

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Best Practices
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Cost Reimbursement Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Governments
  • Management Personnel
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Procurement
  • Production
  • Reconnaissance Satellites

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites