The project, carried out under the Ground-Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) program, involved modernising the 35-year-old telescopes to enhance the Space Surveillance Network’s ability to detect, track and respond to potential threats in orbit.
The upgrade is expected to significantly improve space situational awareness for the US Department of Defense.
“This successful operational acceptance highlights L3Harris’ commitment to advancing the nation’s Space Domain Awareness,” said Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris. “Upgrading these legacy telescopes enables expanded coverage of space, supporting the mission to deter conflict, defeat aggression and protect US interests.”
L3Harris has been providing advanced Space Domain Awareness capabilities to the Pentagon and other US government agencies, delivering what the company describes as an “asymmetric advantage” against emerging space threats. As part of the GBOSS program, the company will later this year commence upgrades to similar telescopes in Maui, Hawaii.
Colonel Barry Croker, Commander of Mission Delta 2 – Space Domain Awareness, said the project would directly benefit operational decision-making.
“The GBOSS upgrade represents a leap forward in capability for the joint warfighter,” Col Croker said. “This upgrade will further enhance the space domain awareness data Mission Delta 2 Guardians provide to inform decision making, orient fires, and enable manoeuvres across all military service domains.”
The telescope modernisation forms part of a broader suite of L3Harris initiatives supporting the US Space Force, including work under the Maintenance of Space Situational Awareness Integrated Capabilities and the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System contracts.
These programs aim to ensure US and allied warfighters have the information and tools needed to maintain space superiority and safeguard national security.