Space Infrastructure Act
The Space Infrastructure Act would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to treat space systems, services, and technology as a critical infrastructure sector. It would direct DHS to designate the sector within 30 days, and within 180 days issue formal guidance on the scope, governance, and coordination for this sector (including designating a Sector-Specific Agency and identifying appropriate advisory bodies). The bill also obligates a congressional report within 90 days after the guidance is issued detailing implementation and other pertinent information. Finally, it would amend the Homeland Security Act to explicitly add space systems, services, and technology to the list of critical infrastructure sectors. The overarching aim is to bolster protection, resilience, and coordinated response for space assets and related infrastructure, spanning satellites, space vehicles, launch facilities, and related IT. In practice, the Act would establish a framework for defining what counts as space infrastructure, determine which federal agency should head the sector, create avenues for government and industry advisory councils, and bring space assets into formal critical-infrastructure planning and protection efforts.
Key Points
- 1The Secretary of Homeland Security must designate space systems, services, and technology as a critical infrastructure sector within 30 days of enactment.
- 2DHS must issue guidance within 180 days outlining the sector’s scope (including satellites, space vehicles, launch infrastructure, space-related production facilities, and applicable IT) and designate a Sector-Specific Agency, plus advisory bodies (Government Coordinating Councils and Sector Coordinating Councils).
- 3A report to appropriate congressional committees is required within 90 days after the guidance is issued, detailing the implementation of the guidance and other relevant information.
- 4The Homeland Security Act of 2002 would be amended to add “Space systems, services, and technology” as a designated critical infrastructure sector (with a specific rearrangement of subparagraphs).
- 5The Act defines key terms for the purposes of the bill, including appropriate congressional committees, critical infrastructure, Executive Director (of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center), Sector-Specific Agency, and Secretary.