S. 428 - SAFE Orbit Act

OpenCongress is in beta. We'd love your feedback!Share feedback

Summary

The SAFE Orbit Act would establish a new bureau within the Department of Commerce dedicated to space situational awareness. Currently, the Office of Space Commerce operates within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but this bill would elevate it to standalone status. The bureau would develop and operate the Traffic Coordination System for Space, which tracks and monitors objects orbiting Earth, including satellites and debris.

If enacted, the bureau would collect and share space tracking data at no cost to satellite operators through a public database and direct services. This information would include location data, orbit information, and collision warnings to help prevent accidents in space. The bill includes protections ensuring the government's free services would not unfairly compete with private companies offering similar products. Additionally, the bill would shield the federal government from lawsuits related to the provision or use of this space tracking information.

This bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate. The practical effect for citizens would be enhanced safety of space operations, potentially reducing the risk of satellite collisions that could create dangerous debris affecting communications, weather forecasting, and other services that depend on functioning satellites.

AI-generated summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Mar 12, 2025

HearingSenateMeeting

Mar 12, 2025 · 13:30

Business meeting to consider S.28, to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices, S.97, to require SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production, S.244, to direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, S.289, to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrate to individuals, S.323, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs, S.389, to establish consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries, S.414, to require covered digital advertising platforms to report their public service advertisements, S.428, to promote space situational awareness and space traffic coordination and to modify the functions and leadership of the Office of Space Commerce, S.433, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce, S.582, to provide for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation by certain astronauts, S.613, to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain the National Mesonet Program, S.759, to provide for standardization, publication, and accessibility of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, S.841, to require online dating service providers to provide fraud ban notifications to online dating service members, S.843, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and the nominations of Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner, and Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Committee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

View full hearing

Summary

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a business meeting on March 12, 2025, to consider a wide range of legislation and nominations. The bills addressed diverse policy areas including consumer protection measures such as requirements for disclosure of camera capabilities in internet-connected devices, fraud prevention for online dating services, and standards for lithium-ion batteries. The committee also examined bills related to broadband infrastructure coordination, space commerce operations, manufacturing advisory structures, and environmental initiatives including sea turtle rescue assistance and flood forecasting programs. No witnesses were listed for this business meeting, which focused on committee consideration of the bills rather than testimony-based deliberation. The agenda encompassed 15 bills spanning multiple Commerce Department functions and two nominations: Mark Meador of Virginia for Federal Trade Commissioner and Michael Kratsios of South Carolina for Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. As a business meeting focused on committee consideration, this session represents an early procedural step in the legislative process. The bills discussed do not automatically advance to the full Senate; the committee must vote to approve them for further consideration. The range of topics—from consumer protection and digital platforms to space operations and ocean conservation—reflects the broad jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee over technology, trade, and related federal agencies.