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Space Communications: Better Understanding of Scheduling System Limitations Needed

IMTEC-91-48 Published: Sep 17, 1991. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) system for scheduling usage of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should assess the ability of the current scheduling system to accommodate the additional TDRSS users expected in the near future. Basic measurements to support this assessment would likely include the volume of user requests that are received and rejected at all points in the scheduling process, the number of those requests that must be altered and resubmitted, and the time it takes to reach final resolution of conflicts.
Closed – Implemented
NASA has collected the data it needs to assess scheduling system limitations.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should use the results of the assessment of the current scheduling system to reevaluate its decision not to implement software enhancements that have been identified by scheduling operations personnel as critical to improving productivity.
Closed – Implemented
The assessment to reevaluate software enhancements showed no additional software changes are needed.

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