Space Acquisitions: DOD is Making Progress to Rapidly Deliver Low Cost Space Capabilities, but Challenges Remain
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) invests heavily in space assets to provide the warfighter with intelligence, navigation, and other information critical to conducting military operations. In fiscal year 2008 alone, DoD expects to spend over $22 billion dollars on space systems. Despite this investment, senior military commanders have reported shortfalls in tactical space capabilities in each recent major conflict over the past decade. To provide short-term tactical capabilities as well as identify and implement long-term solutions to developing low-cost satellites, DoD initiated operationally responsive space (ORS). Following a 2006 GAO review of ORS, the Congress directed DoD to submit a report that sets forth a plan for providing quick acquisition of low-cost space capabilities. This report focuses on the status of DoD's progress in responding to the Congress and is based on GAO's review and analyses of ORS documentation and interviews with DoD and industry officials. GAO recommends that the Secretary of the Air Force develop an investment plan approved by stakeholders that identifies how to achieve future capabilities, establishes funding priorities, and implements mechanisms to measure progress. DoD concurred with the recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA480205
Entities
People
- Art Gallegos
- Arturo Holguin
- Cristina Chaplain
- Jean Harker
- Karen Sloan
- Maria Durant
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office