Secure Space Act of 2025
Secure Space Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Secure Space Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** This bill would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from allowing certain foreign companies to operate satellites or ground stations in U.S. airspace and markets. Specifically, it targets foreign entities whose equipment or services the FCC has identified as posing national security risks—such as Huawei Technologies. The bill would block these companies and their affiliates from obtaining satellite licenses, operating ground stations that communicate with satellites, or getting permission for their foreign-licensed satellites to operate in U.S. markets. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily targets foreign companies and their U.S.
subsidiaries that make communications equipment deemed risky to national security. It could also affect U.S. companies that work with these foreign entities. Consumers might indirectly be affected if it limits satellite services or increases costs, though the bill is designed to protect U.S. national security rather than restrict consumer choice. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Secure Space Act of 2025This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or earth station authorizations, including U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellites, to specified foreign entities of concern and their affiliates. (Earth stations, also commonly known as ground stations, are earth-based radio stations that communicate with satellites. A grant of U.S. market access permits one or more foreign-licensed satellites to communicate with one or more U.S.-licensed earth stations.)Specifically, the FCC may not grant a satellite license, an earth station authorization, or market access to any entity, or an affiliate thereof, that produces or provides communications equipment or services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States. (The FCC maintains a list of such equipment and services, known as the Covered List. Providers of such equipment and services include, for example, Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation.)
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.