On behalf of the Italian space agency Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), the telescope was equipped with X-band receivers and an additional control center in 2017 to receive telemetry data from interplanetary missions. Since then, it has been known as the Sardinia Deep Space Antenna (SDSA) and can be integrated into the ESA and NASA deep space networks when required.

The telescope was first used as a deep-space antenna during the final phase of the Cassini mission, in which the probe dived into Saturn's atmosphere and burned up.

With several missions to the Moon and even further destinations planned for the coming years, the need for large communication antennas is increasing. To meet this need, the SDSA will be progressively upgraded. In the next phase, the telescope will be equipped with special receivers for X-, K- and Ka-band signals on behalf of ASI, which will expand the range of usable frequency bands and allow larger amounts of data to be received. In addition, new high-performance signal amplifiers will be installed and the telescope's beam wave guide and monitoring and control system will be upgraded.

The prime contractor for the upgrade is the Italian-French space company Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%). As a subcontractor, OHB Digital Connect is responsible for the design and installation of the entire signal reception chain and the telescope control system. Antech (Italy; design of the optical components), Callisto (France; high-power amplifier) and Cospal (Italy; mirrors) are involved in the project as suppliers.

The project duration is 2.5 years.