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.

Space Acquisitions: Government and Industry Partners Face Substantial Challenges in Developing New DOD Space Systems

Quality is key to success in U.S. space and missile defense programs, but quality problems exist that have endangered entire missions along with less-visible problems leading to unnecessary repair, scrap, rework, and stoppage; long delays; and millions in cost growth. Tthis report examined quality problems related to parts and manufacturing processes and materials across the DoD and NASA. The report assessed: (1) the extent to which parts quality problems affect those agencies' space and missile defense programs; (2) causes of any problems; and (3) initiatives to prevent, detect, and mitigate parts quality problems. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find publication.

This monograph incorporates a series of essays on the opportunities and challenges for U.S. military space strategy in the 21st century. Each chapter takes a different approach to exploring the possibilities for U.S. space strategy. The issues considered here include the military space requirements for broader competition, the unique value space provides for militaries, the human capital required to build space strategy, the comparative advantages of U.S. allies in space, the role of space strategy for our competitors, and how to think about integrating space into broader defense strategy. We have found many signs of progress in identifying new strategic challenges in space and developing new strategic thought. There has been good progress in linking U.S. military strategy to the broader imperatives of an era of strategic rivalry and competition among major powers. But progress is not success. And the latter appears to be a long way off. Among the expert community we have found substantial dissatisfaction with the rate of progress relative to the rate of change and to the need for ideas well founded in current realities. This small volume is intended to help catalyze and inform thinking about these challenges. It draws on work at CGSR and elsewhere exploring the links between competitive strategies and the U.S. military space enterprise. It also draws on discussions from a workshop we convened in December 2019.