The leader of U.S. Space Operations Command, Lt. Gen. David Miller, is optimistic about the Space Force achieving its goal of delivering a command-and-control platform by the end of next year. This platform aims to provide operators with a common view of the space domain.
The software that will power this platform is called the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS), developed by L3Harris. It is currently in the final stages of testing. Lt. Gen. Miller emphasized the importance of having a unified platform for training, planning, and operations, expressing a desire to complete development by 2025.
ATLAS will serve as the foundational software for a modernization initiative known as Space Command and Control, which will allow the Space Force to decommission the outdated Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC) from the 1970s. This new system will integrate data from various sources, providing operators with a comprehensive view of activities in space.
The transition from SPADOC to ATLAS was initially planned for 2022 but has faced delays due to software integration challenges between L3Harris and Space Systems Command, which is the primary integrator for the project. As of November, L3Harris has delivered 95% of the necessary software and expects to finalize the remaining portion by the first quarter of next year.
Charles Clarkson, vice president at L3Harris, noted that the collaboration between government and industry has improved over the past 18 months. He highlighted the need for user training and familiarization with the new platform as a key focus for the next two quarters.
Once testing is complete and a minimum viable product of ATLAS is available, the program will enter a trial operations phase set to conclude next year. Lt. Gen. Miller’s team is working on integrating space domain awareness applications that are expected to be ready to test in the coming year.
Miller also indicated a strong interest in monitoring space risks and potential threats to operational safety, underlining the importance of awareness regarding objects in orbit.
This information was reported by Courtney Albon, a space and emerging technology reporter for C4ISRNET.
