Improving Acquisition of Weather Observing Satellites

NOAA is engaged in two major satellite acquisition programs—the $15 billion National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program and the $7.7 billion Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) program. NPOESS—jointly managed by NOAA, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration—is well into the development phase of its system life cycle and has experienced years of continuing cost overruns, schedule delays, and technical challenges. Due to these issues, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy decided in February 2010 to disband NPOESS and, instead, to have NOAA and DOD undertake separate acquisitions. NOAA will now be responsible for a program known as the Joint Polar Satellite System, and has begun developing plans to transition from NPOESS to this new program. Moving forward, NOAA faces key risks in transitioning from NPOESS to the Joint Polar Satellite System, including the loss of key staff and capabilities, delays in negotiating contract changes and establishing new program offices, the loss of support for the other agency’s requirements, and insufficient oversight of new program management. GOES-R is also in the development phase, but has delayed key program milestones, including the launch dates of the first and second satellites. These delays have increased the risk that there could be a gap in satellite coverage and users will lose access to critical data.

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

Commerce needs to take several steps to enhance its capacity to effectively manage its acquisition of critical weather-observing satellite systems. Specifically, GAO has recommended that

• Commerce develop continuity plans in the event that there are further delays in launching GOES-R and improve its processes for communicating with other federal agencies that rely on GOES data.

  Highlights of GAO-10-799 (PDF)

• Commerce expedite decisions on the cost, schedule, and capabilities of the Joint Polar Satellite System, and develop transition plans that address key risks such as the loss of skilled staff and insufficient oversight of this new program.

  Highlights of GAO-10-558 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-10-858T (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Polar-Orbiting Satellites

Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites

Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites

Environmental Satellites

Environmental Satellites

Environmental Satellites

Environmental Satellites

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