Department of Defense Spacelift in a Fiscally Constrained Environment

The Department of Defense (DoD) has come under increased scrutiny in recent years due to poorly performing acquisition programs and massive budgetary requirements. In addition to a challenging economy, prolonged conflict since 2001, and a US national debt that exceeded $14 trillion at the end of 2010, the DoD is looking to reduce the overall budget by nearly a trillion dollars over the next ten years. One of the most critical areas the DoD has failed to successfully manage acquisitions is within the portfolio for space systems. One aspect of this portfolio includes the acquisition of launch services under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program to enable space-based capabilities. This program was initiated in the 1990s and was meant to replace expensive DoD-exclusive launch programs by teaming with commercial business to lower launch costs. Unfortunately, launch costs under the current program are on the rise and the spacelift industrial base continues to shrink. Because of these economic and programmatic challenges, this study aims to specifically evaluate if DoD spacelift requirements can be achieved in a more efficient approach without reducing the success rates or launch production rates currently realized under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.