Executive Summary —– Full Report —– UN Legislation —– Iran’s Space Program
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the “Space-Enabled Security and Monitoring Act of 2026”.
SECTION 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS
Congress finds that:
- The strategic environment is undergoing a structural transformation driven by the integration of space-based systems, data networks, and real-time operational architectures across military, economic, and geopolitical domains.
- Dual-use aerospace technologies—including launch vehicles, satellite systems, unmanned aerial systems, and data integration platforms—now enable continuous detection, decision-making, and strike execution in near real time.
- International agreements designed to constrain nuclear weapons development may result in the reallocation of financial, scientific, and industrial resources toward aerospace and space-enabled systems.
- The primary emerging risk is not the proliferation of individual systems, but the integration of satellite-derived data, drone systems, and missile capabilities into continuous operational architectures.
- The proliferation of such integrated systems presents new and expanding threats, including:
(A) real-time integration of satellite data into missile and drone targeting systems;
(B) expansion of scalable, low-cost unmanned systems;
(C) transfer or indirect provision of such capabilities to non-state actors;
(D) disruption of global trade and energy systems through data-enabled operations. - Existing legal and regulatory frameworks, including export controls and missile technology agreements, do not adequately address integrated aerospace-data architectures or real-time data-driven warfare capabilities.
- It is in the national security interest of the United States to establish a comprehensive framework to monitor, regulate, and respond to the emergence of integrated, space-enabled systems of power.
SECTION 3. PURPOSES
The purposes of this Act are:
- To expand the authority of the United States Government to monitor and assess foreign dual-use aerospace capabilities;
- To prevent adversarial integration of space-enabled systems into real-time targeting and operational architectures;
- To establish reporting, enforcement, and coordination mechanisms across relevant Federal agencies;
- To strengthen the strategic position of the United States within space-integrated systems;
- To promote international norms governing the use of space-based data in military and economic operations;
- To address the transition from platform-based threats to integrated, data-driven systems of power.
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS
In this Act:
- Dual-Use Aerospace System means any technology, platform, or system capable of both civilian and military application, including:
(A) satellites;
(B) launch vehicles;
(C) unmanned aerial systems;
(D) data processing and integration platforms;
(E) communication networks supporting aerospace operations. - Space-Enabled Targeting System means any system that utilizes satellite-derived or space-based data for:
(A) navigation;
(B) targeting;
(C) tracking;
(D) strike coordination. - Integrated Aerospace System means any system that links space-based detection, data processing, and operational execution into a continuous or near real-time operational architecture.
- Non-State Actor means any individual or entity that is not a recognized sovereign government, including designated terrorist organizations.
- Covered Foreign Entity means any foreign government, organization, or individual identified by the President as engaged in the development, deployment, or proliferation of dual-use aerospace systems.
SECTION 5. INTERAGENCY MONITORING PROGRAM
(a) Establishment
The President shall establish an interagency program to monitor global developments in dual-use and integrated aerospace systems.
(b) Participating Agencies
The program shall include:
• Department of Defense
• Department of State
• Department of Commerce
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
(c) Functions
The program shall:
- Track foreign satellite launches and payload characteristics;
- Assess integration of aerospace systems with military operations;
- Monitor developments in drone production and deployment;
- Identify emerging data-integration architectures;
- Evaluate risks associated with non-state actor access;
- Assess the development of integrated, real-time operational systems.
SECTION 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Annual Report
The President shall submit to Congress an annual report that includes:
- A comprehensive assessment of global aerospace capabilities;
- Analysis of integration between satellites, drones, and missile systems;
- Identification of proliferation pathways;
- Assessment of economic and trade impacts;
- Evaluation of threats to United States national security;
- Assessment of integrated system development and operational maturity.
(b) Classified Annex
The report shall include a classified annex addressing sensitive intelligence.
SECTION 7. PROHIBITIONS AND SANCTIONS
(a) Prohibited Activities
It shall be unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly:
- Transfer space-enabled targeting data to a non-state actor;
- Provide technical assistance facilitating integration of aerospace systems into real-time military operations;
- Export dual-use aerospace technologies to covered foreign entities without authorization.
SECTION 7A. TRIGGER CONDITIONS AND ESCALATION FRAMEWORK
(a) Trigger Conditions
The provisions of Section 7 shall be activated upon a determination by the President, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, that one or more of the following conditions has been met:
- A covered foreign entity has integrated satellite-derived or space-enabled data into operational missile or unmanned aerial system targeting;
- A covered foreign entity has transferred, directly or indirectly, space-enabled targeting capabilities to a non-state actor;
- A covered foreign entity has conducted or enabled data-driven disruption of global trade routes, energy infrastructure, or maritime systems;
- A covered foreign entity has demonstrated real-time or near real-time integration of detection, decision, and strike capability.
(b) Escalation Framework
Upon determination that a trigger condition has been met, the President shall implement the following measures in sequence:
Tier I (Initial Response):
• Targeted sanctions on identified entities
• Export control restrictions on relevant technologies
• Enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements
Tier II (Escalation):
• Expanded financial sanctions
• Secondary sanctions on supporting entities
• Restrictions on access to international financial systems
Tier III (Severe Response):
• Comprehensive economic sanctions
• Coordinated multilateral enforcement actions
• Additional measures as authorized under existing national security authorities
(c) Reporting and Justification
The President shall submit to Congress, within 30 days of any determination under subsection (a), a report that includes:
- The factual basis for the determination;
- The specific trigger condition(s) met;
- The measures implemented under subsection (b);
- An assessment of expected strategic impact.
(d) Sanctions
The President shall impose sanctions on any covered foreign entity that:
- Transfers or enables access to space-enabled targeting systems;
- Provides aerospace capabilities to non-state actors;
- Engages in disruptive activities affecting global trade or energy systems.
Sanctions may include:
• asset blocking
• financial restrictions
• export controls
• denial of access to U.S. markets
SECTION 8. STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with other agencies, shall prioritize investment in:
- Satellite resilience and redundancy systems;
- Counter-drone and counter-swarm technologies;
- Artificial intelligence for real-time data processing;
- Space-based monitoring of maritime and trade routes;
- Defensive systems against integrated, space-enabled threats.
SECTION 9. INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
The Secretary of State shall:
- Pursue agreements to regulate space-enabled military systems;
- Expand international frameworks governing dual-use aerospace technologies;
- Promote norms limiting the use of satellite data for targeting civilian infrastructure;
- Coordinate with allies to establish shared monitoring systems.
SECTION 10. ENFORCEMENT
(a) Civil Penalties
Any violation of this Act shall be subject to civil penalties not exceeding $1,000,000 per violation.
(b) Criminal Penalties
Any person who willfully violates this Act shall:
• be fined under title 18, United States Code;
• be imprisoned for not more than 20 years;
• or both.
SECTION 11. IMPLEMENTATION
• Initial framework: 180 days
• First report: 1 year
• Full operational capability: 3 years
SECTION 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.