# Plain Language Summary: Secure Space Act of 2023

This bill prevents certain companies from getting permission to operate satellite internet systems in the United States. Specifically, it blocks the Federal Communications Commission from approving licenses or market access for low-orbit satellite systems if the company that would own or control them also makes or sells certain communications equipment that the government has deemed risky to national security. The ban also applies to any company that's affiliated with or owned by such a company.

To understand what this means in practice, imagine a foreign company that makes networking equipment the U.S. government is concerned about for security reasons. Under this bill, that same company couldn't also get approval to launch and operate satellites that provide internet service to Americans. The goal is to prevent companies with potential security risks from controlling both the equipment that handles communications and the satellite systems that deliver those communications. It's essentially a separation rule designed to reduce the chance that a single company could compromise American communications networks.

The bill applies to "non-geostationary orbit" satellites, which are the newer, lower-altitude satellites that companies like SpaceX's Starlink use to provide internet service. These are different from older, stationary satellites that stay in one spot above the Earth. The restriction takes effect immediately once the bill becomes law and applies to any new license applications or market access requests submitted after that point. For most Americans, this likely won't have a noticeable impact on their daily lives, but it could affect which companies are allowed to compete in the growing satellite internet market.

Secure Space Act of 2023

Pallone, Frank

Secure Space Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting licenses or access to U.S. markets for non-geostationary orbit satellite systems to certain producers or providers of communications equipment or services. Specifically, the FCC may not grant a license or market access to an entity that produces or provides equipment or a service that the FCC determines poses an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons (e.g., Huawei Technologies Company and China Mobile International USA Inc.). Non-geostationary satellite systems are comprised of satellites that do not maintain a stationary position but rather move in relation to the Earth's surface; they may be used to provide broadband and other telecommunications services.