DOD IG to audit SMC's management of GSSAP

The Defense Department inspector general's office plans to conduct an audit of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's management of the service's largely classified constellation of surveillance satellites located in geosynchronous orbit.

"Our objective is to determine whether the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is complying with DOD and Air Force quality assurance standards for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program," states a June 11 DOD IG memo. "In addition, we will determine whether the program office is providing adequate oversight of the contractor. We will consider suggestions from management on additional or revised objectives.

"We will perform the evaluation at selected stakeholder and contractor facilities," the memo continues. "We may identify additional locations during the evaluation."

GSSAP satellites serve what officials have called a "neighborhood watch" function, monitoring activity in geosynchronous earth orbit.