Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2271, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 123, related to competitions for designs of aircraft, aircraft parts, and aeronautical accessories, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §821(a)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1704.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Use of Middle Tier Acquisition Program for Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture of the Space Development Agency

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVI, §1608, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 587, as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VIII, §804(c)(6), title XVII, §1701(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1969, 2206, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Director of the Space Development Agency shall use a middle tier acquisition program for the rapid fielding of satellites and associated systems for each of the following tranches of the proliferated warfighter space architecture of the Agency:

"(1) Tranche 1.

"(2) Tranche 2.

"(3) Tranche 3.

"(b) Rapid Prototyping and Fielding.—Any tranche of satellites or associated systems developed and fielded under subsection (a) shall have a level of maturity that allows such satellites or systems to be rapidly prototyped within an acquisition program or rapidly fielded within five years of the development of an approved requirement for such satellites or systems.

"(c) Designation as Major Capability Acquisition.—

"(1) In general.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment may designate a tranche described in subsection (a) as a major capability acquisition program consistent with Department of Defense Instruction 5000.85, titled 'Major Capability Acquisition' and issued on August 6, 2020 (or a successor instruction).

"(2) Notice to congress.—Not later than 90 days before the date on which a designation under paragraph (1) is made, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall notify the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] of the intent of the Under Secretary to make such designation and include with such notice a justification for such designation.

"(d) Space Acquisition Council Review and Waiver.—

"(1) Review.—In accordance with section 9021 of title 10, United States Code, the Space Acquisition Council shall review each tranch described subsection (a) to ensure integration across the national security space enterprise.

"(2) Waiver.—The Space Acquisition Council may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to a tranch or portion of a tranch described in such subsection if the Council—

"(A) on the basis of the review conducted under paragraph (1), determines that the use of a middle tier acquisition program is not warranted for such tranch or portion thereof; and

"(B) not later than 14 days after making such determination, submits to the congressional defense committees notice of the intent of the Council to issue such a waiver.

"(e) Middle Tier Acquisition Program Defined.—In this section, the term 'middle tier acquisition program' means an acquisition program or project that is carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway under section 3602 of title 10, United States Code[,] in a manner consistent with Department of Defense Instruction 5000.80, titled 'Operation of the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA)' and issued on December 30, 2019 (or a successor instruction)."

Matters Relating to Space-Based Ground and Airborne Moving Target Indication Systems

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVI, §1684, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 618, as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XVI, §1654, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2201, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall be responsible for presenting space-based ground and airborne moving target indication systems to the combatant commands to accomplish missions assigned to such commands under the Unified Command Plan that—

"(1) are primarily or fully funded by the Department of Defense; and

"(2) provide near real-time, direct support to satisfy the operational requirements of such commands.

"(b) Milestone Decision Authority.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall be the milestone decision authority (as defined in section 4204 of title 10, United States Code) for space-related acquisition programs for ground and airborne moving target indication systems described in subsection (a) that are primarily or fully funded within the military intelligence program.

"(2) Appointment of program executive officer.—The service acquisition executive for the Air Force for space systems and programs shall appoint a program executive officer, and designate an office, for the acquisition of space-based air and moving target indication systems.

"(c) Initial Operational Capability.—Not later than May 31, 2025, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall—

"(1) designate a date by which the space-based ground moving target indication system will achieve initial operational capability; and

"(2) notify the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] of such date.

"(d) Working Group.—

"(1) Establishment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense shall establish a working group, to be known as the 'Moving Target Indication Working Group' (referred to in this section as the 'working group').

"(2) Responsibilities.—The working group shall be responsible for—

"(A) addressing Department of Defense joint service requirements for moving target indication systems;

"(B) monitoring the cost, schedule, and performance of all efforts to replace the tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability that is provided, as of the date of enactment of this Act, by the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System; and

"(C) developing the processes and procedures for tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of the data collected by moving target indication systems.

"(3) Membership.—

"(A) In general.—The working group shall be composed of members selected by the Secretary of Defense as follows:

"(i) One member of the Space Force and one member of the Joint Staff each of whom shall serve as a co-chair of the working group.

"(ii) One representative of each of the following:

     "(I) The Army.

     "(II) The Navy.

     "(III) The Marine Corps.

     "(IV) The Air Force.

"(B) Congressional notification.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a list of the members selected to serve on the working group pursuant to subparagraph (A).

"(4) Briefing requirements.—

"(A) Initial briefing.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the co-chairs of the working group shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on—

"(i) any capabilities development documents developed by the working group that are either approved by, or in development for, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council; and

"(ii) any progress of the working group towards developing processes and procedures for tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of data collected by future moving target indication systems.

"(B) Biannual briefings.—Not less frequently than biannually following the initial briefing under subparagraph (A), the working group shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the status of any moving target indication programs under development by the Department of Defense as of the date of the briefing.

"(C) Sunset.—The requirement to provide briefings under this paragraph shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act."

Allied Responsive Space Capabilities

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XVI, §1606, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2931, provided that:

"(a) Initiatives.—The Secretary of the Defense and the Secretary of State shall jointly ensure that responsive space capabilities of the Department of Defense align with initiatives by Five Eyes countries, member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other allies to promote a globally responsive space architecture.

"(b) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Commander of the United States European Command, the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Commander of the United States Space Command, shall jointly submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives], the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report assessing current investments and partnerships by the United States with allies of the United States with respect to responsive space efforts. The report shall include the following:

"(1) An assessment of the benefits of leveraging allied and partner spaceports for responsive launch.

"(2) A discussion of current and future plans to engage with allies and partners with respect to activities ensuring rapid reconstitution or augmentation of the space capabilities of the United States and allies.

"(3) An assessment of the shared costs and technology between the United States and allies, including if investments from the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and the European Deterrence Initiative could be considered for allied spaceports.

"(c) Five Eyes Countries Defined.—In this section, the term 'Five Eyes countries' means the following:

"(1) Australia.

"(2) Canada.

"(3) New Zealand.

"(4) The United Kingdom.

"(5) The United States."

Limitation on Use of Commercial Satellite Services and Associated Systems

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVI, §1607(b), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2079, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Except as provided by paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense may not rely solely on the use of commercial satellite services and associated systems to carry out operational requirements, including command and control requirements, targeting requirements, or other requirements that are necessary to execute strategic and tactical operations.

"(2) Mitigation measures.—The Secretary may rely solely on the use of commercial satellite services and associated systems to carry out an operational requirement described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary has taken measures to mitigate the vulnerability of any such requirement."

Classification Review of Programs of the Space Force

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVI, §1609, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2081, provided that:

"(a) Classification Review.—The Secretary of Defense shall—

"(1) not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], conduct a review of each classified program managed under the authority of the Space Force to determine whether—

"(A) the level of classification of the program could be changed to a lower level; or

"(B) the program could be declassified; and

"(2) not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary completes such review, commence the change to the classification level or the declassification as determined in such review.

"(b) Coordination.—The Secretary shall carry out the review under subsection (a)(1) in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy and, as the Secretary determines appropriate, the heads of other elements of the Department of Defense.

"(c) Report.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary completes the review under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report identifying each program managed under the authority of the Space Force covered by a determination regarding changing the classification level of the program or declassifying the program, including—

"(1) the timeline for implementing such change or declassification; and

"(2) any risks that exist in implementing such change or declassification."

Space Policy Review

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2081, as amended by Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVI, §1605, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 586, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall carry out a review of the space policy of the Department of Defense.

"(b) Elements.—The review under subsection (a) shall include the following:

"(1) With respect to the five-year period following the date of the review, an assessment of the threat to the space operations of the United States and the allies of the United States.

"(2) An assessment of the national security objectives of the Department relating to space.

"(3) An evaluation of the policy changes and funding necessary to accomplish such objectives during such five-year period.

"(4) An assessment of the policy of the Department with respect to deterring, responding to, and countering threats to the space operations of the United States and the allies of the United States.

"(5) An analysis of such policy with respect to normative behaviors in space, including the commercial use of space.

"(6) An analysis of the extent to which such policy is coordinated with other ongoing policy reviews, including reviews regarding nuclear, missile defense, and cyber operations.

"(7) A description of the organization and space doctrine of the Department to carry out the space policy of the Department.

"(8) An assessment of the space systems and architectures to implement such space policy.

"(9) Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.

"(c) Report.—

"(1) Requirement.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary, in consultation with the Director, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the results of the review under subsection (a).

"(2) Updates.—The Secretary shall provide for updates to the assessments, analyses, and evaluations carried out pursuant to such review. The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on any such updates concurrently with the National Defense Strategy required to be submitted to Congress under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code.

"(3) Form.—Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

"(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.—In this section, the term 'appropriate congressional committees' means the following:

"(1) The congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives].

"(2) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

"(3) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate."

Commercial Space Domain Awareness Capabilities

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVI, §1607, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4047, provided that:

"(a) Procurement.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of the Air Force shall procure commercial space domain awareness services by awarding at least two contracts for such services.

"(b) Limitation.—Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2021 for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, not more than 75 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense, without delegation, certifies to the congressional committees that the Secretary of the Air Force has awarded the contracts under subsection (a).

"(c) Report.—Not later than January 31, 2021, the Chief of Space Operations, in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report detailing the commercial space domain awareness services, data, and analytics of objects in low-Earth orbit that have been purchased during the two-year period preceding the date of the report. The report shall be submitted in unclassified form.

"(d) Commercial Space Domain Awareness Services Defined.—In this section, the term 'commercial space domain awareness services' means space domain awareness data, processing software, and analytics derived from best-in-breed commercial capabilities to address warfighter requirements in low-Earth orbit and fill gaps in current space domain capabilities of the Space Force, including commercial capabilities to—

"(1) provide conjunction and maneuver alerts;

"(2) monitor breakup and launch events; and

"(3) detect and track objects smaller than 10 centimeters in size."

Tactically Responsive Space Capability

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVI, §1609, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4048, as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVI, §1605, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2078; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XVI, §1604, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2930, provided that:

"(a) Program.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that the Space Force has a tactically responsive space capability that—

"(1) addresses all lifecycle elements; and

"(2) addresses rapid deployment and reconstitution requirements—

"(A) to provide long-term continuity for tactically responsive space capabilities across the future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code;

"(B) to continue the development of concepts of operations, including with respect to tactics, training, and procedures;

"(C) to develop appropriate processes for tactically responsive space launch, including—

"(i) mission assurance processes; and

"(ii) command and control, tracking, telemetry, and communications; and

"(D) to identify basing requirements necessary to enable tactically responsive space capabilities.

"(b) Requirements.—The Chief of Space Operations shall establish tactically responsive requirements for all national security space capabilities, if applicable, carried out under title 10, United States Code.

"(c) Support.—

"(1) Elements.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall support the tactically responsive space program under subsection (a) during the period covered by the future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code, in 2022 to ensure that the program addresses the following:

"(A) The ability to rapidly place on-orbit systems to respond to urgent needs of the commanders of the combatant commands or to reconstitute space assets and capabilities to support national security priorities if such assets and capabilities are degraded, attacked, or otherwise impaired, including such assets and capabilities relating to protected communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

"(B) The entire end-to-end tactically responsive space capability, including with respect to the launch vehicle, ground infrastructure, bus, payload, operations and on-orbit sustainment.

"(2) Plan.—As a part of the defense budget materials (as defined in section 239 of title 10, United States Code) for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2026, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to Congress a plan for the tactically responsive space program to address the elements under paragraph (1). Such plan shall include the following:

"(A) Lessons learned from the Space Safari tactically responsive launch-2 mission of the Space Systems Command of the Space Force, and how to incorporate such lessons into future efforts regarding tactically responsive capabilities.

"(B) How to achieve responsive acquisition timelines within the adaptive acquisition framework for space acquisition pursuant to section 807.

"(C) Plans to address supply chain issues and leverage commercial capabilities to support future reconstitution and urgent space requirements leveraging the tactically responsive space program under subsection (a)."

Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Mission Requirements

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVI, §1605, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1723, provided that:

"(a) Procurement of Modernized Pathfinder Program Satellite.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall procure a modernized pathfinder program satellite that—

"(A) addresses space-based environmental monitoring mission requirements;

"(B) reduces the risk that the Department of Defense experiences a gap in meeting such requirements during the period beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025; and

"(C) is launched not later than January 1, 2023.

"(2) Type of satellite.—The satellite described in paragraph (1) may be a free-flyer or a hosted payload satellite.

"(3) Plan.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan to procure and launch the satellite described in paragraph (1), including with respect to—

"(A) the requirements for such satellite, including operational requirements;

"(B) timelines for such procurement and launch;

"(C) costs for such procurement and launch; and

"(D) the launch plan.

"(4) Procedures.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that the satellite described in paragraph (1) is procured using full and open competition through the use of competitive procedures.

"(5) Withholding of funds.—The amount equal to 10 percent of the total amount authorized to be appropriated to the Office of the Secretary of Air Force for the travel of persons under the Operations and Maintenance, Defense-Wide account shall be withheld from obligation or expenditure until the date on which a contract is awarded for the procurement of the satellite described in paragraph (1).

"(b) Weather System Satellite.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure that the electro-optical/infrared weather system satellite—

"(1) meets space-based environmental monitoring mission requirements;

"(2) is procured using full and open competition through the use of competitive procedures; and

"(3) is launched not later than September 30, 2025.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'appropriate congressional committees' means—

"(A) the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives]; and

"(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

"(2) The term 'space-based environmental monitoring mission requirements' means the national security requirements for cloud characterization and theater weather imagery."

Resilient Enterprise Ground Architecture

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVI, §1606, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1724, provided that:

"(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Air Force, to advance the security of the space assets of the Department of Defense, should—

"(1) expand on complementary efforts within the Air Force that promote the adoption of a resilient enterprise ground architecture that is responsive to new and changing threats and can rapidly integrate new capabilities to make the warfighting force of the United States more resilient in a contested battlespace; and

"(2) prioritize the swift transition of space ground architecture to a common platform and leverage commercial capabilities in concurrence with the 2015 intent memorandum of the Commander of the Air Force Space Command.

"(b) Future Architecture.—The Secretary of Defense shall, to the extent practicable—

"(1) develop future satellite ground architectures of the Department of Defense to be compatible with complementary commercial systems that can support uplink and downlink capabilities with dual-band spacecraft; and

"(2) emphasize that future ground architecture transition away from stove-piped systems to a service-based platform that provides members of the Armed Forces with flexible and adaptable capabilities that—

"(A) use, as applicable, commercially available capabilities and technologies for increased resiliency and cost savings; and

"(B) build commercial opportunity and integration across the range of resilient space systems.

"(c) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the future architecture described in subsection (b)."

Space Warfighting Policy, Review of Space Capabilities, and Plan on Space Warfighting Readiness

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVI, §1607, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2108, provided that:

"(a) Space Warfighting Policy.—Not later than March 29, 2019, the Secretary of Defense shall develop a space warfighting policy.

"(b) Review of Space Capabilities.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall conduct a review relating to the national security space enterprise that evaluates the following:

"(A) The resiliency of the national security space enterprise with respect to a conflict.

"(B) The ability of the national security space enterprise to attribute an attack on a space system in a timely manner.

"(C) The ability of the United States—

"(i) to resolve a conflict in space; and

"(ii) to determine the material means by which such conflict may be resolved.

"(D) Specific options for the national security space enterprise to provide the ability—

"(i) to defend against aggressive behavior in space at all levels of conflict;

"(ii) to defeat any adversary that demonstrates aggressive behavior in space at all levels of conflict;

"(iii) to deter aggressive behavior in space at all levels of conflict; and

"(iv) to develop a declassification strategy, if required to demonstrate deterrence.

"(E) The effectiveness and efficiency of the national security space enterprise to rapidly research, develop, acquire, and deploy space capabilities and capacities—

"(i) to deter and defend the national security space assets of the United States; and

"(ii) to respond to any new threat to such space assets.

"(F) The roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the Department of Defense with respect to space control activities.

"(G) Any emerging space threat the Secretary expects the United States to confront during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018].

"(H) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.

"(2) Report.—

"(A) In general.—Not later than March 29, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the findings of the review under paragraph (1).

"(B) Form.—The report under subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

"(c) Plan on Space Warfighting Readiness.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than March 29, 2019, the Secretary of Defense shall develop, and commence the implementation of, a plan that—

"(A) identifies joint mission-essential tasks for space as a warfighting domain;

"(B) identifies any additional authorities, or delegated authorities, that would need to accompany the employment of forces to meet such mission-essential tasks;

"(C) meets the readiness requirements for space warfighting, including with respect to equipment, training, and personnel, to meet such mission-essential tasks; and

"(D) considers the contributions by allies and partners of the United States with respect to defense space capabilities to increase burden sharing across space systems, as appropriate.

"(2) Briefing.—Not later than March 29, 2019, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to any other congressional defense committee upon request, a briefing describing the authorities identified under paragraph (1)(B) that the Secretary determines require legislative action."

Designation of Component of Department of Defense Responsible for Coordination of Hosted Payload Information

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2112, provided that:

"Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, and other Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of Defense Agencies the Secretary determines appropriate, shall designate a component of the Department of Defense or a military department to be responsible for coordinating information, processes, and lessons learned relating to using commercially hosted payloads across the military departments, Defense Agencies, and other appropriate elements of the Department of Defense. The functions of such designated component shall include, at a minimum, the following:

"(1) Systematically collecting information from past and planned hosted payload arrangements to inform future acquisition planning and space system architecture design, including integration test data, lessons learned, and design solutions.

"(2) Creating a centralized database for cost, technical data, and lessons learned on commercially hosted payloads and sharing such information with other elements of the Department."

Air Force Space Contractor Responsibility Watch List

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVI, §1612, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1729, which required the Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to establish and maintain a space contractor responsibility watch list, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XVI, §1601(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2158. See section 2271a of this title.

Briefings on the National Space Defense Center

Pub. L. 115–31, div. N, title VI, §605(e)(2), May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 832, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVI, §1604(c)(2), (3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4043, 4044, provided that: "The Director of the National Reconnaissance Office and the Commander of the United States Space Command, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence [now Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security], shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress briefings providing updates on activities and progress of the National Space Defense Center to begin 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 5, 2017]. Such briefings shall be quarterly for the first year following enactment, and annually thereafter."

[Pub. L. 115–31, div. N, title VI, §605(a), May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 830, provided that: "In this section [enacting provisions set out as a note above], the term 'appropriate committees of Congress' means the congressional intelligence committees [Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives], the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives."]

Space-Based Environmental Monitoring

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XVI, §1607, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2586, provided that:

"(a) Roles of DOD and NOAA.—

"(1) Mechanisms.—The Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall jointly establish mechanisms to collaborate and coordinate in defining the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to—

"(A) carry out space-based environmental monitoring; and

"(B) plan for future non-governmental space-based environmental monitoring capabilities, as appropriate.

"(2) Rule of construction.—Nothing in paragraph (1) may be construed to authorize a joint satellite program of the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"(b) Report.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2016], the Secretary and the Administrator shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the mechanisms established under subsection (a)(1).

"(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.—In this section, the term 'appropriate congressional committees' means—

"(1) the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives];

"(2) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and

"(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate."

Consolidation of Acquisition of Wideband Satellite Communications

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title XVI, §1610, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1102, provided that:

"(a) Plan.—

"(1) Consolidation.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2015], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a plan for the consolidation, during the one-year period beginning on the date on which the plan is submitted, of the acquisition of wideband satellite communications necessary to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense for such communications, including with respect to military and commercial satellite communications.

"(2) Elements.—The plan under paragraph (1) shall include—

"(A) an assessment of the management and overhead costs relating to the acquisition of commercial satellite communications services across the Department of Defense;

"(B) an estimate of—

"(i) the costs of implementing the consolidation of the acquisition of such services described in paragraph (1); and

"(ii) the projected savings of the consolidation;

"(C) the identification and designation of a single acquisition agent pursuant to paragraph (3)(A); and

"(D) the roles and responsibilities of officials of the Department, including pursuant to paragraph (3).

"(3) Single acquisition agent.—

"(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), under the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall identify and designate a single senior official of the Department of Defense to procure wideband satellite communications necessary to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense for such communications, including with respect to military and commercial satellite communications.

"(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), under the plan under paragraph (1), an official described in subparagraph (C) may carry out the procurement of commercial wideband satellite communications if the official determines that such procurement is required to meet an urgent need.

"(C) An official described in this subparagraph is any of the following:

"(i) A Secretary of a military department.

"(ii) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.

"(iii) The Chief Information Office[r] of the Department of Defense.

"(iv) A commander of a combatant command.

"(4) Validation.—The Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation shall validate the assessment required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) and the estimates required by subparagraph (B) of such paragraph.

"(b) Implementation.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided by paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall complete the implementation of the plan under subsection (a) by not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary submits the plan under such paragraph.

"(2) Waiver.—The Secretary may waive the implementation of the plan under subsection (a) if the Secretary—

"(A) determines that—

"(i) such implementation will require significant additional funding; or

"(ii) such waiver is in the interests of national security; and

"(B) submits to the congressional defense committees notice of such waiver and the justifications for such waiver."

Satellite Communications Responsibilities of Executive Agent for Space

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title XVI, §1603, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3622, directed the revision of Department of Defense guidance relating to acquisition of satellite communications no later than 180 days after Dec. 19, 2014.

Prohibition on Contracting With Russian Suppliers of Rocket Engines for the National Security Space Launch Program

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title XVI, §1608, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3626, as amended by Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title XVI, §1607, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1100; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XVI, §1602, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2582, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Except as provided by subsections (b) and (c), beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 2014], the Secretary of Defense may not award or renew a contract for the procurement of property or services for space launch activities under the evolved expendable launch vehicle program [now the National Security Space Launch program] if such contract carries out such space launch activities using rocket engines designed or manufactured in the Russian Federation.

"(b) Waiver.—The Secretary may waive the prohibition under subsection (a) with respect to a contract for the procurement of property or services for space launch activities if the Secretary determines, and certifies to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] not later than 30 days before the waiver takes effect, that—

"(1) the waiver is necessary for the national security interests of the United States; and

"(2) the space launch services and capabilities covered by the contract could not be obtained at a fair and reasonable price without the use of rocket engines designed or manufactured in the Russian Federation.

"(c) Exception.—The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to any of the following:

"(1) The placement of orders or the exercise of options under the contract numbered FA8811–13–C–0003 and awarded on December 18, 2013.

"(2) Contracts that are awarded during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 [Dec. 23, 2016] and ending December 31, 2022, for the procurement of property or services for space launch activities that include the use of a total of 18 rocket engines designed or manufactured in the Russian Federation, in addition to the Russian-designed or Russian-manufactured engines to which paragraph (1) applies."

Integrated Space Architectures

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, §911, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4328, as amended by Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(d)(1)(A), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3509, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence shall develop an integrated process for national security space architecture planning, development, coordination, and analysis that—

"(1) encompasses defense and intelligence space plans, programs, budgets, and organizations;

"(2) provides mid-term to long-term recommendations to guide space-related defense and intelligence acquisitions, requirements, and investment decisions;

"(3) is independent of, but coordinated with, the space architecture planning, development, coordination, and analysis activities of each military department and each element of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))); and

"(4) makes use of, to the maximum extent practicable, joint duty assignment (as defined in section 668 of title 10, United States Code) positions."

Space Protection Strategy

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, §911(a)–(f), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 279, 280, as amended by Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title IX, §912(c), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 824; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(d)(1)(B), title XVI, §1606(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3509, 3625; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §813(b)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1851, provided that:

"(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the Sense of Congress that the United States should place greater priority on the protection of national security space systems.

"(b) Strategy.—The Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Director of National Intelligence, shall develop a strategy, to be known as the Space Protection Strategy, for the development and fielding by the United States of the capabilities that are necessary to ensure freedom of action in space for the United States.

"(c) Matters Included.—The strategy required by subsection (b) shall include each of the following:

"(1) An identification of the threats to, and the vulnerabilities of, the national security space systems of the United States.

"(2) A description of the capabilities currently contained in the program of record of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community that ensure freedom of action in space.

"(3) For each period covered by the strategy, a description of the capabilities that are needed for the period, including—

"(A) the hardware, software, and other materials or services to be developed or procured;

"(B) the management and organizational changes to be achieved; and

"(C) concepts of operations, tactics, techniques, and procedures to be employed.

"(4) For each period covered by the strategy, an assessment of the gaps and shortfalls between the capabilities that are needed for the period and the capabilities currently contained in the program of record.

"(5) For each period covered by the strategy, a comprehensive plan for investment in capabilities that identifies specific program and technology investments to be made in that period.

"(6) A description of the current processes by which the systems protection requirements of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community are addressed in space acquisition programs and during key milestone decisions, an assessment of the adequacy of those processes, and an identification of the actions of the Department and the intelligence community for addressing any inadequacies in those processes.

"(7) A description of the current processes by which the Department of Defense and the intelligence community program and budget for capabilities (including capabilities that are incorporated into single programs and capabilities that span multiple programs), an assessment of the adequacy of those processes, and an identification of the actions of the Department and the intelligence community for addressing any inadequacies in those processes.

"(8) A description of the organizational and management structure of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community for addressing policy, planning, acquisition, and operations with respect to capabilities, a description of the roles and responsibilities of each organization, and an identification of the actions of the Department and the intelligence community for addressing any inadequacies in that structure.

"(d) Periods Covered.—The strategy required by subsection (b) shall cover the following periods:

"(1) Fiscal years 2008 through 2013.

"(2) Fiscal years 2014 through 2019.

"(3) Fiscal years 2020 through 2025.

"(4) Fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

"(e) Definitions.—In this section—

"(1) the term 'capabilities' means space, airborne, and ground systems and capabilities for space situational awareness and for space systems protection; and

"(2) the term 'intelligence community' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).

"(f) Report.—

"(1) Report.—Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 28, 2008], the Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to Congress a report on the strategy required by subsection (b), including—

"(A) each of the matters required by subsection (c); and

"(B) a description of how the Department of Defense and the intelligence community plan to provide necessary national security capabilities, through alternative space, airborne, or ground systems, if a foreign actor degrades, denies access to, or destroys United States national security space capabilities.

"(2) Classification.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall be in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex."

Maintenance of Capability for Space-Based Nuclear Detection

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, §1065, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 324, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense shall maintain the capability for space-based nuclear detection at a level that meets or exceeds the level of capability as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 28, 2008]."

Space Situational Awareness Strategy and Space Control Mission Review

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title IX, §911, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3405, required the Secretary of Defense to develop a "Space Situational Awareness Strategy" for ensuring freedom to operate United States space assets affecting national security, and to provide for a review and assessment of the requirements of the Department of Defense for the space control mission, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, §911(g), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 280.

Space Personnel Career Fields

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §547, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1480, as amended by Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814, required the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to promote the development of space personnel career fields and required reports regarding the strategy to be submitted by the Secretary of Defense and the Comptroller General to Congress in 2004 and 2005.

Comptroller General Assessment of Implementation of Recommendations of Space Commission

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title IX, §914, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1197, directed the Comptroller General to carry out an assessment through Feb. 15, 2003, of the actions taken by the Secretary of Defense in implementing the recommendations in the report of the Space Commission submitted to Congress pursuant to Pub. L. 106–65, §1623, formerly set out as a note under section 111 of this title, that were applicable to the Department of Defense, and to submit reports to committees of Congress, not later than Feb. 15, 2002, and Feb. 15, 2003, setting forth the results of the assessment.