L3Harris upgrades US Space Force telescopes at White Sands Missile Range

L3Harris Technologies announced on 5 August 2025 that it has successfully upgraded the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance telescopes at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, enabling the US Space Force to declare operational acceptance.

L3Harris’ role in upgrading the 35-year-old telescopes under the Ground-Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) programme “is a significant contribution to enhancing the capabilities of the Space Surveillance Network”, the company stated. The upgrades are expected to improve space situational awareness for the US Department of Defense with the ability to detect, track and counter potential threats.

“This successful operational acceptance highlights L3Harris’ commitment to advancing the nation’s space domain awareness,” Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airborne Systems for L3Harris, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Upgrading these legacy telescopes enables expanded coverage of space, supporting the mission to deter conflict, defeat aggression and protect US interests.”

Also as part of the GBOSS programme, L3Harris will further its commitment to national space security by upgrading telescopes in Maui, Hawaii, later this year.

“The GBOSS upgrade represents a leap forward in capability for the joint warfighter,” said Colonel Barry Croker, Commander, Mission Delta 2 – Space Domain Awareness, US Space Force. “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.”

L3Harris is also at the forefront of developing and advancing innovative technology that enables the Space Force’s mission through the Maintenance of Space Situational Awareness Integrated Capabilities (MOSSAIC) programme and the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) programme.