Satellite Control Capabilities: National Policy Could Help Consolidation and Cost Savings
NSIAD-96-77
Published: May 02, 1996. Publicly Released: May 02, 1996.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) and intelligence community's potential opportunities to consolidate satellite control functions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Science and Technology Council | NSTC should develop an inter-sector space policy, to be included with its revisions of other space policies, that would direct integration, consolidation, and sharing, to the extent feasible, of the nation's satellite control networks. |
Closed – Implemented
On September 19, 1996, NSTC issued new national space policy that included guidelines to the Department of Defense to pursue integrated satellite control and coordinate with other departments and agencies to foster the integration and interoperability of satellite control for all government space activities.
|
| National Science and Technology Council | NSTC should require the Secretaries of Defense and Commerce and the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with appropriate input from the Director of Central Intelligence, to establish a coordinated management structure to implement the policy by completing the necessary studies, preparing an integrated architecture, and making cost-effective decisions on the respective agencies' network upgrades. |
Closed – Implemented
On September 19, 1996, NSTC issued new national space policy that included guidelines to the Department of Defense to pursue integrated satellite control and coordinate with other departments and agencies to foster the integration and interoperability of satellite control for all government space activities.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Aerospace researchCommunication satellitesDefense cost controlInteragency relationsInteroperabilityMilitary satellitesSystems compatibilitySatellitesU.S. Air ForceSatellite control