Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites: Agencies Must Act Quickly to Address Risks That Jeopardize the Continuity of Weather and Climate Data
Abstract
In the 8 years since a contract was awarded, the National Polar orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) - a tri-agency program managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - has experienced escalating costs, schedule delays, and ineffective interagency management. The launch date for a demonstration satellite has been delayed by over 5years and the cost estimate for the program has more than doubled - to about $15 billion. In February 2010, a Presidential task force decided to disband NPOESS and, instead, have the agencies undertake separate acquisitions. GAO was asked to (1) assess efforts to establish separate satellite programs; (2) evaluate the status and risks of the NPOESS components still underdevelopment; and (3) evaluate the implications of using the demonstration satellite's data operationally. To do so, GAO analyzed program management and cost data, attended program reviews, and interviewed agency officials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1176938
Entities
People
- David A. Powner
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office