Acquisition of Space Systems. Volume 7. Past Problems and Future Challenges

Abstract : Acquiring and deploying space systems in a timely, affordable manner is important to U.S. national security but for years, Department of Defense (DoD) space programs have experienced large cost growth, schedule delays, and technical problems. Although these issues have been mostly resolved, DoD should apply lessons learned from past experience as it plans for the next-generation space systems, especially in the current fiscal environment. The authors analyze the performance of selected DoD space programs in terms of cost growth, schedule delays, and on-orbit performance; identify key factors that contributed to cost growth, schedule overruns, and technical problems; characterize the current status of these programs; and identify future acquisition challenges that next-generation space systems might face.