Space Acquisitions

To be competitive in the global economy, the U.S. relies heavily on innovation through research and development (R&D). The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to stimulate technological innovation among small businesses. SBIR offers one avenue for introducing technological innovation in the DoD space sector. This report assessed: (1) the extent to which DoD is utilizing the SBIR program to develop and transition space-related technologies; and (2) whether small businesses face challenges to participating in the space industrial base. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find publication.

DoD invests heavily in space assets to provide the warfighter with intelligence, navigation, and other info. critical to conducting military operations. Despite a substantial 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 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. Illustrations.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the DoD space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up costs by billions of dollars, stretched schedules by years, and increased technical risks. To address the cost increases, DoD altered its acquisitions by reducing the number of satellites it intended to buy, reducing the capabilities of the satellites, or terminating major space systems acquisitions. Many space acquisitions are experiencing significant schedule delays resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as missile warning, military commun., and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: the status of space acquisitions; factors of acquisition problems; and efforts to improve acquisitions. Illus.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the 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 has resulted in cancellations of programs that were expected to require investments of tens of billions of dollars. Many programs are experiencing significant schedule delays resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning; and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: (1) the condition of space acquisitions; (2) causal factors; and (3) recommend. for better positioning programs and industry for success. Charts and tables.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the DoD space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up cost and schedules and increased technical risks. Along with the cost increases, many programs are experiencing significant schedule delays -- as much as 7 years -- resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning; and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: (1) the condition of space acquisitions; (2) causal factors; (3) observations on the space industrial base; and (4) recommendations for better positioning programs and industry for success. Illustrations.

Quality is key to success in U.S. space and missile defense programs, but quality problems exist that have endangered entire missions along with less-visible problems leading to unnecessary repair, scrap, rework, and stoppage; long delays; and millions in cost growth. Tthis report examined quality problems related to parts and manufacturing processes and materials across the DoD and NASA. The report assessed: (1) the extent to which parts quality problems affect those agencies' space and missile defense programs; (2) causes of any problems; and (3) initiatives to prevent, detect, and mitigate parts quality problems. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find publication.