Ground Based Optical Sensor
Abstract
Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element fields, upgrades, operationalizes, operates and maintains Space Force sensors and information integration capabilities within the SDA network while companion program element 1206425SF, Space Situational Awareness Systems, develops new network sensors and improved information integration capabilities across the network. Activities funded in this program element (1203940SF) focus on surveillance of objects in earth orbit to aid tasks including satellite tracking; space object identification; tracking and cataloging; satellite attack warning; notification of satellite flyovers to U.S. forces; space treaty monitoring; and technical intelligence gathering. The Ground-Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) Program is an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently un-detectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, actionable SDA. This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination, and will incorporate coalition data, commercial data and/or new GEODSS sites to provide a global capability to positively ID an adversary committing an orbital attack. The program includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance the sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high-fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. In FY 2024, Ground Based Optical Sensor efforts were transferred to PE 1206425SF, Space Situation Awareness Systems, Project 65A037, Ground Based Optical Sensor, in order to align it with other developmental SDA programs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver GBOSS capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 65A037_1203940SF_5_3620F_PB_2025
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- Root: Space Situation Awareness Operations
- Child Accomplishment: Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS)
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