U.S. Space Force 2nd Lt. James Maxwell, right, Kubernetes platform lead, and Capt. Jason Rimer, C2 Space Domain Awareness product lead, (left) discuss the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) on Jan. 21, 2022. Photo: Space Systems Command

The U.S. Space Force recently selected L3Harris Technologies to integrate a space domain awareness project called ATLAS. 

ATLAS — Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System — is a project that began in 2018 to replace the legacy space management tool Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC), which monitors space objects, processes events like anti-satellite launches, and supports flight operation safety. 

Space Systems Command’s Space Command and Control (Space C2) program awarded L3Harris a $49.7 million delivery order on the Starfleet indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity for ATLAS development. L3Harris will develop, integrate, and deliver a package of astrometric tools to further ATLAS development and modernize SDA mission capabilities. The performance period is 24 months. 

L3Harris said this system will strengthen the Space Force’s ability to track and respond to anti-satellite near-peer threats and accelerate advanced tracking and analysis of space objects.

“Anti-satellite threats have increased and require attention now,” Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airborne Systems for L3Harris said in a Feb. 3 announcement. “We are responding to the urgency by partnering with the Space Force to modernize space domain awareness assets that are key to understanding and acting on those threats.”