Weather Satellites: Cost Growth and Development Delays Jeopardize U.S. Forecasting Ability

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) cooperative arrangement for the development and procurement of the next series of geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES), focusing on the: (1) award of the prime contract and its principal subcontract; (2) current cost and schedule status of the contract; and (3) two agencies' coordination and contract oversight.