SAFE Orbit Act

Full Title:
SAFE Orbit Act

Summary#

The SAFE Orbit Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to help make space operations safer by collecting and sharing unclassified space situational awareness (SSA) data, analytics, and services. The bill authorizes the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce to acquire location tracking, orbit and position data, conjunction data messages, and other information needed to avoid collisions. It requires a free, public, continuously updated unclassified database about space objects and behavior and the provision of basic SSA services at no charge. The bill states that the United States and persons acting for the U.S. are immune from lawsuits related to the provision or receipt of SSA services or information. It requires the Office of Space Commerce to be elevated to a Bureau of Space Commerce reporting to the Secretary of Commerce within 5 years, gives the head of that bureau the title of Assistant Secretary (appointed by the President with Senate confirmation), and directs the bureau to perform SSA and space traffic coordination duties. The bill also directs the bureau to prioritize commercial capabilities, protect proprietary data and cybersecurity using NIST guidance, encourage data standardization with stakeholders, and promote foreign participation in unclassified data sharing. The Secretary may use contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions to carry out these activities. The bill defines terms such as "space object" and "orbital debris" and requires a transition report to Congress within 1 year describing the move from an office to a bureau.

What it means for you#

  • If you operate or build satellites: the bill would require that you can access a free, public, unclassified database with tracking data, orbit information, and basic analytics. The bill says the government will also provide basic SSA services, including tracking and conjunction messages, at no charge.
  • If you provide commercial SSA data or services: the bill directs Commerce to leverage commercial capabilities and prioritize U.S.-based providers. It also says the government should avoid competing with private SSA products "to the maximum extent practicable" and must review services at least every 3 years to check for competition with the private sector.
  • If you are a member of the public: you would have free access to an updated public database about objects in orbit and their behavior, except for classified information or trade secrets.
  • Legal note: the bill states that the U.S., its agencies, and persons acting for the U.S. are immune from lawsuits arising from the provision or receipt of SSA services or information.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated costs or budgetary impacts is included in the bill text. The bill does require a transition report that aims to minimize cost and administrative burden when moving the Office of Space Commerce to a bureau.

Proponents' View#

The bill says it is meant to promote safe operations in space, encourage development of commercial space capabilities, provide public access to SSA data and services, and improve coordination to avoid collisions. Supporters would point to establishing a dedicated bureau, using commercial data, and standardizing reporting to improve safety and stability in orbit.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on objections, opposing views, or critiques is included in the provided bill text.