Bill · S. 428· Senate(119-S-428)
SAFE Orbit Act
- Introduced
- 2/5/2025
- Last activity
- 9/29/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 170.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 4
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The SAFE Orbit Act aims to improve space situational awareness and coordinate space traffic. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to acquire and share unclassified data to prevent collisions of space objects. The bill authorizes the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce to provide a free database and basic services to satellite operators. Additionally, the legislation mandates the elevation of the Office of Space Commerce into a bureau reporting directly to the Secretary of Commerce. This transition includes specific staffing and reporting requirements to ensure continuity.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill prioritizes the acquisition of data from U.S. commercial industry and provides free tracking services.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill provides free space situational awareness services and a public database to help satellite operators.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates the provision of a free, unclassified database concerning space objects to the public.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-4
The bill establishes broad legal immunity for government entities and their agents regarding space services.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Free Information: The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce must provide the public access to a fully updated, unclassified database regarding space objects and behavior at no charge (Section 2(d)).
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Support for Satellite Operators: Basic space situational awareness services, including tracking and analytics, must be provided to satellite operators at no charge (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Collision Avoidance: The Assistant Secretary is authorized to acquire specific data, such as location tracking and orbit determination, specifically to avoid collisions of space objects (Section 2(c)).
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Protection of Domestic Industry: The bill directs the government to prioritize the acquisition of data and services from commercial industry located in or licensed in the United States (Section 2(f)(2)).
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Data Security: The law requires that the protection of proprietary data, information, and systems of U.S. firms be handled using appropriate infrastructure and cybersecurity measures (Section 2(f)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Legal Immunity for Government Entities: The bill establishes that the United States, its agencies, and various individuals or corporations acting for the government are immune from any lawsuit arising from the provision or receipt of space situational awareness services or information (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+4Improves International Alliances+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Due Process-4
- 9/29/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. With written report No. 119-65.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 170.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 2/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi