Middle East Space and Satellite Security Alliance Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-10353
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Introduced: 2024-12-11
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10353 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 11, 2024 Mr. Bacon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs , and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct an assessment of space and satellite security relating to ally and partner countries in the Middle East.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Middle East Space and Satellite Security Alliance Act of 2024 . 2. Middle east integrated space and satellite security assessment (a) Assessment (1) In general The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall conduct an assessment of space and satellite security for the purpose of identifying mechanisms, such as improved multilateral data-sharing agreements, that may be implemented to better protect ally and partner countries in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command from hostile activities conducted by adversaries against space systems of the United States or such countries. (2) Matters to be included The assessment required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the threats posed to the United States and ally or partner countries in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command by adversaries, including Iran and its proxies, from conducting hostile activities— (i) against space systems of the United States or such countries; and (ii) using capabilities originating from the space domain. (B) A description of progress made in— (i) advancing the integration of countries in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command, including Israel, into existing multilateral space and satellite security partnerships; and (ii) establishing such partnerships with such countries. (C) A description of efforts among ally and partner countries in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command to coordinate intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities and indicators and warnings with respect to the threats described in subparagraph (A), and a description of factors limiting the effectiveness of such efforts. (D) An assessment of current gaps in the ability of the Department of Defense to provide space situational awareness for allies and partners in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. (E) A description of multilateral space situational awareness data-sharing agreements and an integrated space and satellite security architecture that would improve collective security in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. (F) A description of current and planned efforts to engage ally and partner countries in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command in establishing such a multilateral space situational awareness data-sharing agreement and an integrated space and satellite security architecture. (G) A description of key challenges in achieving integrated space and satellite security described in paragraph (1) using the metrics identified in accordance with paragraph (3). (H) Recommendations for development and the implementation of an integrated space and satellite security strategy based on such metrics. (I) A cost estimate of establishing an integrated space and satellite security strategy, and an assessment of the resources that could be contributed by ally and partner countries of the United States to establish and strengthen such capabilities. (J) Other matters the Secretary of Defense considers relevant. (3) Metrics The Secretary of Defense shall identify and propose metrics to assess progress in the implementation of the assessment required by paragraph (1). (b) Report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a). (2) Form of report The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (c) Protection of sensitive information Any activity carried out under this section shall be conducted in a manner that appropriately protects sensitive information and the national security interests of the United States. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.