The Joint Polar Satellite System has not yet launched, but lawmakers and the Government Accountability Office are already warning the involved agencies about possible problems.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Defense Department made progress in transferring contracts used for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System to NASA for JPSS implementation, reports a GAO official. But, while transferring documents and acquisition duties to NASA marks a significant step in JPSS preparation, this will not ensure the program's success, said David Powner, GAO's director of information technology management issues.

In fact, NASA's acquisition management has been classified as "high risk" by GAO since 1990, due to "its inconsistent performance in delivering large-scale projects," said Powner, during a Sept. 23 hearing of the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on investigations and oversight.

"It is imperative NOAA performs rigorous executive-level oversight of JPSS," advised Powner.

The week prior to the hearing, NOAA completed the level-1 requirements document that defines a construct in which NOAA retains the overall responsibility for the JPSS program while NASA serves as the acquisition agent, said Kathryn Sullivan, deputy administrator of NOAA.

Sullivan said the management control program laying out how NASA and NOAA will interact is being circulated at both agencies and will soon be finalized.

"The program is defined, the requirements are in place, and with the requested funding we are confident we can implement the JPSS program as planned," said Christopher Scolese, associate administrator of NASA during his testimony.

GAO appeared unconvinced that the plans being finalized by NASA and NOAA are as well-formulated as the agencies claim. According to Powner's testimony, the plans are still missing concrete decisions on cost, launch dates and the functionality to be delivered. "Clearly budget uncertainties have contributed to this," noted Powner. "Expediting these decisions and contingencies is critical to ensuring the continuity of weather and climate data."

Since at least October 2010 GAO, NASA's inspector general and independent research organizations have highlighted a possible gap in satellite weather reporting due to various government satellites running behind schedule.

For more:
- see the hearing page (archived webcast and prepared testimonies)
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