H.R. 9592: American Space Leadership for the 21st Century Act

This bill would direct the State Department to play a larger role in U.S. space security policy, mainly through diplomacy, coordination with allies, and regular reporting to Congress.

What the bill says in general

The bill states that keeping space secure and accessible is important for U.S. national security, the economy, and technological leadership. It also says the United States should work with allies and partners to protect space systems and support shared security goals.

Main actions it would authorize

• Lead diplomatic efforts on space security. The Secretary of State, through the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, would lead the State Department’s diplomatic work to reduce threats to U.S. space security.

• Assess and communicate space threats. The bill would allow the State Department to review current and future threats to U.S. space interests, including threats from low Earth orbit through cislunar space, and to share threat information with allies and partners when appropriate.

• Coordinate with allies and partners. The department could work with other countries to identify places where additional space infrastructure or military cooperation would improve security.

• Promote international norms. The State Department would be tasked with supporting international rules and norms for behavior in space that align with U.S. security and foreign policy interests.

Risk reduction and arms control-related efforts

The bill would let the State Department pursue international measures meant to reduce misunderstandings and conflict in space. These could include:

• transparency and confidence-building measures related to space activities;

• efforts to prevent disruptive actions against space systems;

• ways to improve communication with allies and partners;

• steps to reduce the chance of miscalculation with China or Russia;

• international cooperation on space domain awareness; and

• efforts to reduce intentional creation of space debris.

International agreements and consultations

The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to enter into certain international agreements with allies and partners that improve outer space security. These agreements could involve information sharing or access, where practical, to U.S. government or commercial space capabilities, systems, or services. The agreements would have to be mutually beneficial and consistent with U.S. national security or foreign policy priorities.

Before entering such an agreement, the State Department would have to consult with the relevant congressional committees and give them at least 15 days’ notice of its intent to finalize the agreement.

Space security dialogues

The bill would allow the State Department, working with the Department of Defense and other agencies, to begin space security dialogues with key allies and partners. These discussions could be paired with civil and commercial space talks and would focus on:

• integrating space security into collective defense planning;

• identifying priority investments in interoperable space systems;

• strengthening secure and resilient supply chains;

• finding ways U.S. space companies can help meet allies’ and partners’ security needs; and

• coordinating diplomacy in international forums and standards-setting bodies.

Reporting to Congress

The Secretary of State would have to consult Congress within 90 days after the bill becomes law, and then once a year for three years, on current and emerging threats to U.S. space security. Those consultations could cover:

• threats from adversary military or dual-use space systems;

• possible plans to place nuclear weapons or nuclear-capable delivery vehicles in space;

• China’s and Russia’s counterspace capabilities;

• international space arms control and risk-reduction talks;

• barriers that limit U.S. companies from cooperating with allies and partners; and

• actions taken or planned with allies and partners to protect space security.

If the Secretary of State determines there has been a significant change in an adversary’s space posture, intent, or capabilities, the department would have to notify and consult Congress within 30 days.

Relevant Companies

• LMT — Could be affected through increased demand for space-related defense, communications, and security systems used by the U.S. and allies.

• NOC — May see indirect impact from more allied space security coordination and defense cooperation.

• RTX — Could be affected by policies that encourage space security cooperation and investment in resilient space systems.

• LHX — May be impacted if allied space communications, surveillance, or security programs expand.

• BA — Could be indirectly affected through commercial and government space partnerships and international space infrastructure efforts.

• IRDM — Could be affected if the bill leads to more international use of U.S. commercial space communications services.

• TDG — May be indirectly impacted through increased demand for aerospace and defense-related space technologies.