NASA’s launch and re-entry operations require meticulous coordination and a deep understanding of vehicle behavior to guarantee the safety of crews, recovery teams, and critical flight hardware. The WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems from L3Harris play a vital role in providing the persistent situational awareness necessary for mission assurance during these high-stakes scenarios.
In collaboration with NASA, L3Harris supports a range of launch and re-entry missions, with a primary focus on the re-entry of Dragon capsules off the coast of California. The WESCAM MX-Series systems are instrumental in delivering live full-motion video (FMV) of critical mission phases, including the deployment of parachutes and the capsule’s descent through splashdown.
The advanced stabilization of EO/IR imagery allows NASA teams to monitor the deployment and inflation of both the drogue and main parachutes in real-time. This crucial visibility is key to evaluating parachute performance, descent stability, and overall system effectiveness, all of which directly impact the safe retrieval of the spacecraft and its crew. By capturing footage from multiple angles and significant distances, NASA engineers obtain a comprehensive overview of the event, facilitating both real-time decision-making and thorough post-mission analysis.
To fulfill NASA’s demand for a versatile and economical airborne imaging solution, L3Harris operates a Cessna Grand Caravan outfitted with WESCAM MX-20 and MX-15 EO/IR sensors. This airborne platform enables NASA to deploy imaging assets at customized altitudes and stand-off distances, complementing other airborne and maritime sensors engaged in the recovery mission. The long-range, high-resolution optics and sophisticated stabilization of the WESCAM MX-Series ensure uninterrupted tracking of the vehicle through the most intense phases of re-entry.
“The value of WESCAM systems is the reliability and visibility they provide,” remarked Tom Kirkland, President of Targeting and Sensor Systems at L3Harris. “They allow NASA teams to clearly see and understand what’s happening during re-entry, such as the integrity of capsule parachutes, which is critical to protecting crews, recovery personnel, and mission assets.”
Beyond Dragon capsule recoveries, WESCAM MX-Series systems have also supported other NASA initiatives, including the Starliner mission set for 2024 and the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) launch scheduled for March 2026. Throughout these missions, the sensors have consistently provided actionable imagery that aids in mission execution, safety evaluations, and system verification.
Engineered for enduring surveillance and precise tracking, the WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems have shown remarkable efficacy in aerospace and spaceflight contexts. Through its ongoing support of NASA’s launch and re-entry operations, L3Harris delivers reliable sensing technologies that enhance situational awareness, promote mission assurance, and help secure the safe return of personnel and equipment from space.
Source: L3Harris (2026-04-14)
