# Space Infrastructure Act: What It Means

This bill tells the federal government to officially recognize space technology and systems as "critical infrastructure"—basically putting satellites, rockets, launch facilities, and related technology in the same protective category as things like power grids and water systems. Right now, space infrastructure doesn't have this official designation, so this bill is asking the Department of Homeland Security to change that within 30 days of the law passing.

Once space infrastructure gets this official status, the government has to create detailed guidance within six months explaining exactly what counts as critical space infrastructure and how it should be protected. This includes satellites in orbit, space vehicles, ground-based systems that support launches, manufacturing facilities that build space equipment, and the computer systems that run everything. The guidance will also identify which government agency should oversee this sector and set up councils where government officials and private companies can coordinate on security issues.

Why does this matter? Space technology has become essential to modern life—it powers GPS, weather forecasting, communications, military operations, and financial systems. By officially designating it as critical infrastructure, the government can better protect these systems from cyberattacks, physical threats, and other dangers. It also means private companies that operate satellites and launch facilities will likely need to follow new security standards and share information about threats with the government. Within 90 days of creating the guidance, the Department of Homeland Security has to report back to Congress on how the new rules are being implemented.

Space Infrastructure Act

Calvert, Ken

Space Infrastructure ActThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate space systems, services, and technology as a critical infrastructure sector. Under current law, critical infrastructure means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.DHS must issue guidance with respect to the designation, in which it must define the scope of the sector and name a federal agency to serve as the federal interface for the prioritization and coordination of activities specific to the sector, among other duties.&nbsp;The bill also adds the space systems, services, and technology sector to a list of critical infrastructure sectors that DHS must consider in allocating certain national security grants.