S. 1962 · Passed Senate · Science, Technology, Communications

Secure Space Act of 2026

Sponsor: Deb Fischer (R-NE)

What it does

• Prohibits the FCC from granting satellite licenses to foreign entities or their affiliates that produce or provide communications equipment or services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.
• Prohibits the FCC from issuing earth station authorizations to specified foreign entities of concern and their affiliates.
• Prohibits the FCC from granting U.S. market access to foreign-licensed satellites operated by entities or affiliates that produce or provide covered communications equipment or services.

Official summary

Secure Space Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or earth station authorizations, including U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellites, to specified foreign entities of concern and their affiliates. (Earth stations, also commonly known as ground stations, are earth-based radio stations that communicate with satellites. A grant of U.S. market access permits one or more foreign-licensed satellites to communicate with one or more U.S.-licensed earth stations.) Specifically, the FCC may not grant a satellite license, an earth station authorization, or market access to any entity, or an affiliate thereof, that produces or provides communications equipment or services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States. (The FCC maintains a list of such equipment and services, known as the Covered List. Providers of such equipment and services include, for example, Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation.)

Latest action

Sep 24, 2026: Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation