Even after this restructuring, however, the program continued to  encounter technical issues, management challenges, schedule delays,  and further cost increases. Overview of the GOES Program

In addition to polar-orbiting satellites, NOAA operates GOES as a two- satellite geostationary satellite system that is primarily focused on the  United States. Within the program office, two project offices manage key  components of the GOES-R system. Key components include acquiring and launching JPSS-1 and JPSS-2,  developing and integrating five sensors on the two satellites, finding  alternate host satellites for selected instruments that would not be  accommodated on the JPSS satellites, and providing ground system  support. To improve NOAA’s ability to execute GOES-R’s remaining planned  development with appropriate reserves, improve the reliability of its  schedules, and address identified program risks, we are recommending in  our report being released today that NOAA
Assess and report to the NOAA Program Management Council the  reserves needed for completing remaining development for each  satellite in the series.
Why GAO Did This Study

This testimony discusses two satellite acquisition programs within the Department of Commerces National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) programs are meant to replace current operational satellites, and both are considered critical to the United States ability to maintain the continuity of data required for weather forecasting.

What GAO Found

As requested, this statement summarizes our two reports being released today on (1) the status, plans, and risks for JPSS and (2) the status, schedule management process, and risk management process within the GOES-R program. We found that the JPSS cost and GOES-R contractor cost data were sufficiently reliable for our purposes. Further, while we found that the GOES-R schedule and management reserve data were not sufficiently reliable, we reported on the datas shortcomings in our report.