GAO thinks hosted payloads are a good idea for DoD

C4ISRNET: A new report from Congress' watchdog agency found that government payloads launched aboard commercial satellites saved money, achieved on-orbit capability faster and increased deterrence and resilience, but throughout the Department of Defense, there is fragmented knowledge about the practice.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report July 30 reviewing the Department of Defense’s use of commercial satellites to host communications packages and sensors. Since 2009, DOD has used three commercial satellites to host communications technology and sensors. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also have used or plan to use commercial host satellites.

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