Impacts of Space System Acquisition on National Security

Abstract

This thesis examines a series of problems that the United States has encountered in its space systems acquisition process, and how these problems have affected national security. Specifically, the thesis explores the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) space acquisition system and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) procurement process to identify potential improvement and streamlining opportunities. The thesis analyzes several space system projects to determine which project elements have contributed to increased project cost and major project delays. Based on this assessment, the author concludes that although the space acquisition process has gone through a number of significant changes over the past 50 years, it is questionable that any of these changes has led to significant improvements. Several recommendations are set forth to improve the U.S. space system acquisition process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA573932

Entities

People

  • Andrew W. Harris Jr.

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Programming
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Government Procurement
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • System Software
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States Government

Readers

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

Technology Areas

  • Space