**GAO-09-564**                      Published: Jun 17, 2009. Publicly Released: Jun 17, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) is a tri-agency acquisition--managed by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)--that has experienced escalating costs, schedule delays, and technical difficulties. As the often-delayed launch of its demonstration satellite draws closer, these problems continue. GAO was asked to (1) identify the status and risks of key program components, (2) assess the NPOESS Executive Committee's ability to fulfill its responsibilities, and (3) evaluate efforts to identify an alternative system integrator for later NPOESS satellites. To do so, GAO analyzed program and contractor data, attended program reviews, and interviewed agency officials.

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## Topics

Natural Resources and Environment

Administrative costsAgency missionsClimateCost analysisCost overrunsData collectionDefense procurementEnvironmental monitoringExecutive agenciesProcurementProcurement planningProgram evaluationProgram managementRisk assessmentRisk factorsRisk managementSatellitesSchedule slippagesTechnologyWeatherWeather forecastingPolar-orbiting satellites

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