VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. Michael Roberts, a sensor management analyst from the 614th Air and Space Operations Center, verifies the accuracy of a radar tracking station's observations of several man-made objects floating in space March 4 here. The purpose of Joint Space Operations Center is to provide a focal point for the operational employment of worldwide joint space forces, and enable the commander of Joint Functional Component Command for Space to integrate space power into global military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A long-awaited update to the hardware and software system that will allow the U.S. Air Force to ingest data from its new object tracking system, known as Space Fence, will not be ready until 2018, about 19 months later than previous estimates, an Air Force spokeswoman said April 11.

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Mike Gruss is SpaceNews' chief content and strategy officer. He brings a wealth of expertise in strategic content, audience engagement, and media innovation, honed through leadership roles at Sightline Media Group, where most recently he was editor-in-chief...