Environmental Satellites: Improvements Needed in NOAA's Mitigation Strategies as it Prepares for Potential Satellite Coverage Gaps

Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) $11.3 billion Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program has recently completed significant development activities and remains within its cost and schedule baselines; however, recent cost growth on key components is likely unsustainable, and schedule delays could increase the potential for a near-term satellite data gap. In addition, while the program has reduced its estimate for a near-term gap in the afternoon orbit, its gap assessment was based on incomplete data. A gap in satellite data may occur earlier and last longer than NOAA anticipates. The figure below depicts a possible 11-month gap, in which the current satellite lasts its full expected 5-year life (until October 2016) and the next satellite is launched in March 2017 and undergoes on-orbit testing until September 2017.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 12, 2015
Accession Number
AD1174451

Entities

People

  • David A. Powner

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Acquisition
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Best Practices
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Governments
  • Information Systems
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • National Governments
  • Personnel Management
  • Software Development
  • Spacecraft
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Weather Forecasting

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites