Were program goals achieved within budgeted costs and established schedules?
Explanation: Each budget year Space Launch acquisition programs follow the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PBBE) process, which are designed to rigorously examine the previous years cost, performance, and schedule and adjust program baselines to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources. Each of the programs examined here has achieved cost savings, improved performance, and met program schedules and milestones. Exceptions include technical or operational payload issues, which slipped launch schedules in favor of mission assurance/success objectives, a prudent strategy given the “one chance” nature of the space launch, the high value of spacecraft, and launch systems.
