NOAA’s process for updating its flyout charts  involves obtaining updated information on the health of operational  satellites from internal specialists and program based studies, such as  satellite availability assessments; obtaining updated information on the  launch schedules for new satellites; having relevant individuals and  entities review the updated charts; and obtaining approval from the  Assistant Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and  Information Service (NESDIS) to publish the new chart on its public facing  website. This process is partially  documented in a draft policy from June 2011. NOAA Has Made Several Recent Changes to Its Flyout Charts

Using the process outlined in NOAA’s draft policy, program officials have  updated the geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite flyout charts three  times since March 2014. Key changes included adding newly planned  satellites; removing a satellite that reached the end of its life; and  adjusting planned dates for when satellites would launch, begin  operations, and reach the end of their lives. For example, in one set of  changes between April 2015 and January 2016, NOAA (1) delayed the  GOES-R launch date from March to October 2016, resulting in a  corresponding move in its estimated end-of-life, and (2) added 6-month  on-orbit checkout periods to the next three satellites in the series, called  GOES-S, T, and U satellites. NOAA Has Not Consistently and Accurately Updated Its Flyout Charts

While NOAA regularly updates its flyout charts and most of the data on  specific satellites were aligned with supporting program documents, the  agency has not consistently ensured that its charts were supported by  stringent analysis, accurate, clearly communicated, and fully documented. Accuracy: NOAA’s flyout chart updates are not always accurate and  consistent with agency documentation including program schedules  for future satellites and polar availability assessments. Clarity: NOAA does not clearly and consistently depict how long a  satellite might last once it is beyond its design life. Documentation: While standard internal controls and NOAA’s draft  policy calls for documenting the reasons for changes to the flyout  charts and the executive approval for those changes, NOAA does not  consistently document the justification for its updates. Furthermore, based on the 27 key changes we noted  on the flyout charts between March 2014 and January 2016, 9 were  justified in NOAA documentation and 18 were not. Between March 2014 and January 2016,  agency officials revised the flyout charts three times to add newly planned  satellites; remove a satellite that ceased operations; and change the  expected dates for launch, beginning operations, and end-of-life. In its efforts to update its flyout charts, NOAA provides regular updates  that are mostly consistent with supporting documentation. Part of the  reason for these issues is that NOAA has not established a policy that  includes these steps. Until NOAA addresses the shortfalls in its practices  and updates its policy to help ensure the flyout charts are accurate,  consistent, and well-documented, it runs an increased risk that its flyout  charts will be misleading to Congress and may lead to less-than-optimal  decisions. Specially, we recommend that the Secretary direct NOAA’s  Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services to take the  following actions for its geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite  programs:
Require satellite programs to perform regular availability assessments  and use these analyses to inform the flyout charts and support its  budget requests. Revise and finalize the draft policy governing how flyout charts are to  be updated to address the shortfalls with analysis, accuracy,  consistency, and documentation noted in the above  recommendations. NOAA  concurred with all five of our recommendations and noted that it plans to  implement a more consistent approach in updating its flyout charts.
Why GAO Did This Study

NOAA manages two weather satellite programs that provide critical environmental data used in weather forecasts and warnings: a geostationary and a polar-orbiting satellite program. The agency is acquiring the next generation of satellites to replace existing satellites that are approaching the end of their expected lives. NOAA regularly publishes timelines, called flyout charts, depicting its expectations for how long its operational satellites will last and when it plans to launch new satellites. These charts are used to support budget requests, provide status reports, facilitate appropriations discussions with congressional committees, and inform the public.
GAO was asked to review NOAA's recent flyout charts. GAO's objectives were to (1) describe NOAA's process for updating its satellite flyout charts; (2) identify changes NOAA has made to its flyout charts in recent years and the justification for those changes; and (3) assess NOAA's recent efforts to update its flyout charts. To do so, GAO reviewed agency policies and procedures for updating its charts; analyzed changes made to the charts since March 2014; and compared NOAA's approach to Air Force practices, internal control standards, and program documentation.

What GAO Found

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) process for updating its flyout charts involves obtaining updated information on the health of operational satellites and schedules for new satellites, having relevant individuals review the updated charts, and obtaining approval from a senior NOAA official to publish the charts. This process is partially documented in a 2011 draft policy.
NOAA updated the geostationary and polar-orbiting flyout charts three times between March 2014 and January 2016. Key changes included adding newly planned satellites; removing a satellite that reached the end of its life; and adjusting planned dates for when satellites would launch, begin operations, and reach the end of their lives. For example, in one set of changes between April 2015 and January 2016, NOAA extended the life of older polar orbiting satellites by 1 year, added a new fuel limited life period to its most recently launched satellite (called S-NPP), and changed the launch date and the end-of-life date for another satellite (called JPSS-2), as shown below.
While NOAA has regularly updated its flyout charts and most of the data on specific satellites were aligned with supporting program documents, it has not consistently ensured that the data were supported by stringent analysis, consistent with underlying program data, clearly communicated, and fully documented. For example, unlike the Air Force, NOAA does not require regular availability assessments for its satellite programs. Also, NOAA's flyout chart updates are not always accurate and consistent with program schedules and polar availability assessments. Further, NOAA does not fully document its changes to the charts. For example, GAO's assessment of 27 key changes between March 2014 and January 2016 showed that 9 were justified in NOAA documentation and 18 were not. Part of the reason for these issues is that NOAA has not established a clear policy to standardize its approach. Until NOAA addresses the shortfalls in its practices and revises and finalizes its draft policy to help ensure the charts are accurate, consistent, and well documented, it runs an increased risk that its flyout charts will be misleading to Congress and may lead to less-than-optimal decisions.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that NOAA take steps to improve the accuracy and consistency of its flyout charts, and to revise and finalize the draft policy for updating its flyout charts to address the shortfalls GAO noted. NOAA agreed with GAO's recommendations and identified plans to implement them.