Enhancement of space domain awareness through ground-based sensor development

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the expansion of space domain awareness infrastructure, including advanced ground-based optical sensing capabilities, is essential to the operational testing and training architecture of the Space Force; and (2) collaboration with academic institutions is critical to advancing electro-optical sensor research and development in support of national security objectives. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on efforts by the Space Force to expand space domain awareness infrastructure. (2) Elements The report required by paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum— (A) a description of current and planned infrastructure, equipment, and capability expansions; (B) a summary of current and planned engagement with institutions of higher education that possess demonstrated expertise in space domain awareness, including electro-optical sensor development, tasking algorithms, and automation frameworks; and (C) an assessment of the ability to integrate research and development from academic partners into operational testing and training environments in support of space domain awareness objectives.