Hello.
I’m Laurence Hawkins here to discuss the
Office of Inspector General’s review of
NASA’s Earth science mission portfolio.
For more than 50 years, NASA has launched
satellites and other scientific instruments
into space to observe the Earth and collect
information on climate, weather, and such
natural phenomena as earthquakes, droughts,
floods, and wildfires.
This Earth observation data provides individuals,
commercial entities, and Government and military
organizations information to prepare for and
react to extreme weather and natural disasters,
manage agriculture, and operate aircraft and
other transportation systems.
In this audit, we assessed NASA’s management
of its Earth science portfolio to determine
whether the Agency is effectively meeting
stakeholder needs, addressing challenges to
implementing its priorities, and assessing
how stakeholders use the data it collects.
In addition, we reviewed the status of the
69 missions in NASA’s Earth science portfolio
as of September 2016.
NASA’s selection of Earth science missions
is heavily influenced by the President, Congress,
and the National Research Council, which in
2007 issued a Decadal Survey recommending
the Agency undertake specific missions.
In response, NASA developed a strategic plan
that attempted to integrate the NRC’s recommendations
with Presidential and congressional priorities
and outlined 20 Earth Science missions.
We found NASA’s Earth science portfolio
adequately reflects stakeholder input and
that its strategic plan includes missions
that address all six of its Earth science
focus areas.
However, due primarily to budget issues and
the availability and affordability of launch
vehicles, the Agency has not carried out the
Plan on the timetable intended and is therefore
increasingly reliant on an aging infrastructure
to monitor the planet.
Specifically, the strategic plan envisioned
the launch of 17 missions by 2020, including
11 by the end of 2016.
However, as of September 2016 NASA had launched
only 7 missions.
Despite these challenges, over the past 15
years the number of products from its Earth
observation missions NASA has delivered to
users has risen from about 8.14 million in
2000 to 1.42 billion in 2015.
Government agencies, policymakers, and researchers
routinely use this data to expand understanding
of the Earth system, improve ecological forecasting,
manage water resources and air quality, and
respond to weather-related disasters and wildfires.
We made two recommendations to improve NASA’s
management of its Earth science portfolio,
and Agency management agreed to take corrective
actions.
To read the full OIG report, please visit
our website at oig.nasa.gov.
