For our audit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Polar Weather Satellite program, our objective was to assess the program's execution of selected development activities. To satisfy our objective, we reviewed aspects of the program's environmental testing and pre-launch readiness efforts for JPSS-2, the second satellite in the Joint Polar Satellite Series. Generally, the program was successful in the testing and readiness efforts we reviewed for JPSS-2. However, we found the program should should I. take additional steps to ensure instruments on the next JPSS satellites, JPSS-3 and JPSS-4, are protected from contamination and tested as they will fly; II. improve its lessons-learned process so it and other programs can learn from its experiences; and III. improve its requirements verification process before JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 verification.efforts begin.
Open Recommendations
Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
3. We recommend the NOAA Deputy Undersecretary of Operations direct the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services ensure the JPSS program updates its JPSS Program Plan and JPSS Flight Project Plan to describe a lessons-learned approach that is executable and meets the needs of the program and NASA. The update should include specific management controls that ensure these needs are met. | |||||
4 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
4. We recommend the NOAA Deputy Undersecretary of Operations direct the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services ensure the program defines and provides guidance to the spacecraft contractor on the expected level of documentation and artifacts necessary to support verifications. |