Space Acquisitions: DOD Faces Substantial Challenges in Developing New Space Systems

Abstract

Despite a growing investment in space, the majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the Department of Defense's (DOD) space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up cost and schedules and increased technical risks. The cost resulting from acquisition problems along with the ambitious nature of space programs has resulted in cancellations of programs that were expected to require investments of tens of billions of dollars. Along with the cost increases, many programs are experiencing significant schedule delays-at least 7 years-resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning; and weather monitoring.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 20, 2009
Accession Number
ADA499589

Entities

People

  • Cristina T. Chaplain

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Best Practices
  • Congress
  • Cost Estimates
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Governments
  • National Security
  • Navigation
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Space Systems
  • Systems Engineering
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Economics
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.

Technology Areas

  • Space