U.S. Space Force's ATLAS System Achieves Operational Acceptance, Revolutionizing Space Domain Awareness and DoW Software Acquisition Published Sept. 30, 2025 By Space Operations Command Public Affairs PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. & EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The U.S. Space Force announces the operational acceptance of the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS), marking a new era in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and setting a precedent for modern software acquisition practices within the Department of War. ATLAS is designed to enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities in the increasingly complex and contested space domain. SDA missions allow the Space Force to assure spaceflight safety and observe, attribute, and respond to adversary actions in space, ensure the responsible use of space by all parties, and enable U.S. freedom of action in all orbital regimes. Investments like ATLAS continue to be made to sustain and modernize legacy sensors and processing and communications links. ATLAS is intended to eventually remove operational dependencies on the more than 30-year-old legacy Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC) system and will provide a modernized and integrated system that enables responsive and resilient capabilities for space operations centers. The operational acceptance decision was based on a comprehensive assessment of ATLAS's capabilities, performance, and readiness for operational deployment. "ATLAS operational acceptance is a revolutionary leap forward for our warfighters, providing a decisive advantage in Space Domain Awareness," said U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Amber Johnson, 2nd Sustainment Squadron commander under Space Operations Command’s Mission Delta 2 – Space Domain Awareness. "This achievement, driven by agile development, delivers a force multiplier that significantly enhances our ability to rapidly detect and respond to emerging threats, ensuring continued space superiority." This achievement follows a trial period that focused on demonstrating ATLAS 's ability to deliver against legacy capabilities, and a successful effort by the Space Force Program Executive Office (SFPEO) Battle Management, Command, Control, Communications, and Space Intelligence (BMC3I), Space Systems Command (SSC) and Space Operations Command (SpOC). The operational acceptance also marks a significant milestone for the DoW's software acquisition practices, as ATLAS is one of the first programs to successfully utilize modern software acquisition pathways. Moving forward, ATLAS will continue to deliver advanced SDA capabilities on a modern and integrated architecture, postured for a warfighting domain. “The ATLAS team remains dedicated to continuous improvement, ensuring that the software is continuously evolved to meet emerging gaps in step with the evolution of space capabilities,” said Ms. Shannon Pallone, SFPEO BMC3I. “Achieving operational acceptance is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams and mission partners who worked together to deliver critical capabilities that advance USSF’s Space Domain Awareness mission.” SFPEO BMC3I oversees the lifecycle management of ATLAS in partnership with SpOC Misson Delta 2 which will operate, sustain, and continually enhance the system. "ATLAS enables our Guardians to learn, understand, and execute operations more rapidly in highly complex space domain awareness operations. SDA is fundamental to all U.S. Space Force operations, and advancements like ATLAS keep our focus ahead of evolving threats in the space domain," said Lt. Col. Laurel Jodice, 18th Space Defense Squadron commander, SpOC Misson Delta 2. Achieving ATLAS operational acceptance is a direct result of SpOC Misson Delta 2’s shift to optimize efforts for speed, iteration, and mission alignment to focus on the rapid transition of critical capabilities to the warfighter. Due to close collaboration within the operational, test, and training community, the USSF can deliver and continue to enhance critical systems that are more adaptable to emerging threats and challenges. SpOC, as the U.S. Space Force’s Service Force Provider, is one of three Field Commands focused on generating and presenting combat-ready forces capable of achieving space superiority. SpOC encompasses eight distinct, but integrated mission deltas and three space base deltas focused on Space Domain Awareness; Space Electromagnetic Warfare; Missile Warning and Tracking; Cyberspace Warfare; Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting; Satellite Communications; Orbital Warfare; and Navigational Warfare. Get the latest Space Operations Command news at www.spoc.spaceforce.mil, on Facebook, or on LinkedIn. Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force Field Command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit www.ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.