Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn, Gary Peters, Marsha Blackburn, Eric Schmitt, Mark Kelly, Roger Wicker, Ben Ray Luján, and John Hickenlooper have introduced the Situational Awareness of Flying Elements in (SAFE) Orbit Act. This legislation aims to enhance commercial space capabilities by directing the Office of Space Commerce within the U.S. Department of Commerce to acquire and share unclassified data and services related to space activities and traffic coordination in low-Earth orbit.

Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of safe space traffic coordination for scientific discoveries and technological innovation. He stated that "the SAFE Orbit Act would prevent dangerous and costly accidental collisions in low-Earth orbit."

Senator Peters highlighted the United States' role as a global leader in commercial space activity. He remarked that "this legislation would provide important data that can help inform space exploration decisions."

According to Senator Blackburn, "the world is entering a new space race," and it is crucial to equip American innovators with resources to win. She noted that the SAFE Orbit Act would centralize and improve space traffic coordination.

Senator Kelly pointed out the need for tools for critical space situational awareness to safeguard public access to orbital data. He mentioned that this will empower scientists and innovators while strengthening American leadership in space.

Senator Wicker stressed the importance of better technology and data coordination as companies currently lack awareness of other objects like space debris. He stated that this sector represents a new economic frontier.

Senator Luján explained that this legislation will enhance how objects are tracked in Earth's orbit, improving safety through better tracking and coordination.

Finally, Senator Hickenlooper observed that commercial space activities have filled low-Earth orbit with more debris than ever before. A cutting-edge traffic coordination system will help maintain leadership in space.

The SAFE Orbit Act builds on previous directives from the FY2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act for the Department of Commerce's involvement in SSA and STC activities. The act also outlines steps such as making SSA data publicly accessible, maintaining a public catalogue of information, facilitating voluntary industry standards, collaborating with government operators for data-sharing, and prioritizing purchases from commercial SSA providers.

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation endorses this legislation.