To be competitive in the global economy, the U.S. relies heavily on innovation through research and development (R&D). The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to stimulate technological innovation among small businesses. SBIR offers one avenue for introducing technological innovation in the DoD space sector. This report assessed: (1) the extent to which DoD is utilizing the SBIR program to develop and transition space-related technologies; and (2) whether small businesses face challenges to participating in the space industrial base. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find publication.

The DoD plans to spend $27 billion acquiring launch services through the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program over the next 12 years. It uses 2 families of commercially owned and operated vehicles to launch satellites. The EELV program has undergone significant changes, including: adoption of a new acquisition strategy that sought to ensure the viability of the two EELV launch vehicle providers, Boeing and Lockheed Martin; the subsequent decision by those two co. to form a joint venture, the ULA; and a 10-year increase in the life of the program. This report: determines what uncertainties DoD faces in the EELV program and in the transition to ULA; and assesses how DoD is positioned to manage and oversee the effort. Illustrations.

Estimated costs for the Department of Defense's (DOD) major space acquisition programs have increased by about $12.2 billion from initial estimates for fiscal years 2006 through 2011. Cost growth for ongoing Air Force programs above initial estimates accounts for a substantial portion of this 44 percent increase. In light of the role that optimistic estimating is believed to have played in exacerbating space acquisition cost growth, you requested that we examine (1) in what areas space system acquisition cost estimates have been unrealistic and (2) what incentives and pressures have contributed to the quality and usefulness of cost estimates for space system acquisitions.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the DoD space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up costs by billions of dollars, stretched schedules by years, and increased technical risks. To address the cost increases, DoD altered its acquisitions by reducing the number of satellites it intended to buy, reducing the capabilities of the satellites, or terminating major space systems acquisitions. Many space acquisitions are experiencing significant schedule delays resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as missile warning, military commun., and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: the status of space acquisitions; factors of acquisition problems; and efforts to improve acquisitions. Illus.

DoD invests heavily in space assets to provide the warfighter with intelligence, navigation, and other info. critical to conducting military operations. Despite a substantial investment, senior military commanders have reported shortfalls in tactical space capabilities in each recent major conflict over the past decade. To provide short-term tactical capabilities as well as identify and implement long-term solutions to developing low cost satellites, DoD initiated operationally responsive space (ORS). Following a 2006 review of ORS, the Congress directed DoD to submit a report that sets forth a plan for providing quick acquisition of low cost space capabilities. This report focuses on the status of DoD¿s progress in responding to the Congress. Illustrations.

The majority of large-scale acquisition programs in the DoD space portfolio have experienced problems during the past two decades that have driven up cost and schedules and increased technical risks. Along with the cost increases, many programs are experiencing significant schedule delays -- as much as 7 years -- resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning; and weather monitoring. This testimony focuses on: (1) the condition of space acquisitions; (2) causal factors; (3) observations on the space industrial base; and (4) recommendations for better positioning programs and industry for success. Illustrations.