The Government Accountability Office recommended the Department of Defense implement practices to address cost and schedule challenges facing the department when procuring space technology platforms. GAO said Wednesday that it found that space leadership changes, potential satellite threats, funding issues and workforce gaps could affect the department’s acquisition of weather satellites and missile warning, communications and navigation systems.Â
The report also noted that while space systems assist government and military operations, their deployment may cost billions of dollars. GAO cited the launch of a satellite communications system was delayed by three years and the mission cost jumped more than 117 percent.Â
The agency’s recommends are based on DoD space program reports created over the last decade and findings on the status of defense procurement efforts.