Space Operations: NASA's Communications Support for Earth Orbiting Spacecraft
IMTEC-89-41
Published: Apr 07, 1989. Publicly Released: May 12, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) plans for providing emergency backup communications support for earth-orbiting spacecraft.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should ensure that: (1) appropriate risk analyses are performed and documented for present and future earth-orbiting spacecraft missions before the four ground stations located at Guam, Hawaii, Santiago, and Ascension Island are closed; (2) plans for support for launches of expendable vehicles are finalized before the Ascension Island station is closed; and (3) a plan is developed to provide support for Small Explorer Missions in equatorial orbits. |
Closed – Implemented
A risk analysis for current missions was completed, a French company took over operations of Ascension Island, and plans are not needed for new small explorer missions because no requirements have been developed.
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Topics
Aerospace researchCommunication satellitesData transmissionEmergency preparednessFacility managementFederal agency reorganizationNavigation aidsSpace explorationTransportation terminalsSatellites