Secure Space Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Pallone
Passed House
Summary
Blocks U.S. satellite licenses and earth‑station approvals for companies tied to certain covered communications equipment. This bill would add that prohibition to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act and extend it to geostationary orbit (GEO) and nongeostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems, individually licensed and blanket earth stations, and gateway stations.
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- Satellite operators: Would be denied U.S. market access, licenses, or authorizations if owned or controlled by a company that produces or provides covered communications equipment or services, or by an affiliate as defined in section 3 of the Communications Act. This applies to both GEO and NGSO systems.
- Earth station and gateway applicants: Could have blanket or individual earth station authorizations blocked when the station or its controlling entity is tied to covered equipment providers. Gateway stations are included when they support routing, switching, or telemetry and are not for the exclusive use of any single customer.
- Covered equipment makers and affiliates: Would be barred from holding or controlling U.S. satellite authorizations or market access. The Federal Communications Commission must issue rules to implement the new Section 10 within 1 year, and the ban applies to grants, petitions, or authorizations on or after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
FCC would block some satellite licenses
The bill would block the FCC from granting some satellite licenses and U.S. market access. It would apply to GEO and NGSO satellite systems and to authorizations for individually licensed or blanket-licensed earth stations, including gateway stations. The block would apply when the license or authorization would be held or controlled by a company that makes or provides covered communications equipment or services, or that company’s affiliate. It would apply only to grants made on or after the date of enactment. The bill would define blanket-licensed earth stations, individually licensed earth stations, and gateway stations to set who is covered. The FCC would need to issue implementing rules within 1 year of enactment. If passed, this could limit some providers’ access to the U.S. market and could change which satellite services reach customers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pallone
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
KY • R
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov