The Mighty Watchful Eye: Space Force Team Operates and Maintains Upgraded GEODSS System

Civilian team members at the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron meticulously inspect and maintain the GEODSS (Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System) system, including battery backup systems and generators, at Mission Delta 2’s facility at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, June 15, 2026. Backup power systems ensure mission continuity in the event of a power loss from the local electrical grid. GEODSS, which rapidly searches for, discovers, and tracks small, dim threats in orbit, was upgraded with the Ground-Based Optical Sensor System in June 2025. The U.S. Space Force’s scanning of earth’s orbits is now done faster, wider, and clearer than ever before in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), High Earth Orbit (HEO) and cislunar orbits. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dave Grim)