S. 428 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 5, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryTracks space debris and collision risks
The bill creates a new system to track objects in space and warn satellite operators about potential collisions. It gives the Office of Space Commerce—which oversees commercial space activities—the authority to collect and share information about where satellites, debris, and other objects are in orbit, and where they're headed. The government would provide this tracking data and basic safety information for free to satellite operators and through a public database.
How it affects you
If you work in the space industry or operate satellites, you'd gain access to free government data about what's flying near your equipment and collision risks. For most people, the main effect is indirect: as satellites become more important for communications, weather forecasting, and GPS, better tracking helps prevent collisions that could create dangerous debris in orbit.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 5, 2025)
Situational Awareness of Flying Elements in Orbit Act or the SAFE Orbit Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Traffic Coordination System for Space, which is being developed by the Office of Space Commerce to provide space situational awareness data and services to space operators. ( Space situational awareness means an understanding of the space operational environment and the identification, tracking, and prediction of the behavior of space objects and debris.)
As an initial matter, the bill provides for the elevation of the Office of Space Commerce to a standalone bureau within the Department of Commerce. (The office currently sits within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.)
The bill authorizes the bureau to acquire location tracking data, positional and orbit determination information, conjunction data messages, and other data, analytics, information, and services deemed necessary to avoid collisions in space. The bureau must disseminate this information at no charge (1) through a public database of space situational awareness information and services, including space traffic coordination; and (2) through the provision of basic situational awareness services to satellite operators. The bill also sets forth certain requirements for the collection and dissemination of such information, including that, to the extent practicable, the provision of service to satellite operators may not compete with private situational awareness products.
Finally, the bill provides immunity for the United States government from any suit for a cause of action arising from the provision or receipt of space situational awareness services or information.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 428
A BILL
SAFE Orbit Act
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) · Introduced Feb 5, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 29, 2025: “Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 170.”