Quad Space Act
The Quad Space Act would require the U.S. Secretary of Defense to kick off discussions, through the Quad (the United States, Australia, India, and Japan), to identify mutual space-related interests. The focus is on three areas: (1) formulating best practices in space, (2) cooperation on space situational awareness (SSA), and (3) space industrial policy. A report to Congress is due within 270 days detailing the identified mutual interests and potential steps to formalize Quad cooperation in space. The bill frames Quad cooperation as a key component of broader U.S. strategy to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and to address regional security challenges, while noting public statements about the Quad’s revival and elevated leadership. The act does not authorize new funding or create a new program; instead, it directs the DoD to begin discussions and to report back with concrete potential next steps to formalize space cooperation among the Quad partners.
Key Points
- 1The act is titled the Quad Space Act and introduces a sense of Congress affirming closer space cooperation with Quad partners (Australia, India, Japan) to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- 2It directs the Secretary of Defense, within 180 days of enactment, to initiate Quad-based discussions to identify mutual interests in (A) best practices in space, (B) space situational awareness cooperation, and (C) space industrial policy.
- 3It requires a Congress-level report within 270 days detailing the mutual interests identified and potential steps to formalize Quad space cooperation.
- 4Definitions establish “Quad” as the partnership among the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.
- 5The bill signals that Quad restoration and elevated leadership (as referenced in the sense of Congress) are important for advancing shared space interests.