Sens. Cruz, Hickenlooper Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Military Data Capabilities in Space

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the Nodes, Enterprise Workloads, and Hybrid Operations, Resilience, Integration, Zero-Trust, Orbital Networks (NEW HORIZON) Act. This legislation establishes a Department of War pilot program to evaluate commercially available orbital data center and space-based cloud computing services for national security missions.

Sen. Cruz said, "Data generated in space goes underutilized because of network bandwidth issues between satellites and ground stations. This legislation enables the Department of War to conduct operational testing on space-based data processing and storage, and will help to reduce latency, improve resilience, and enhance operational effectiveness across military and intelligence missions. I am proud to introduce this bill with Senator Hickenlooper."

Sen. Hickenlooper said, "Space innovation and military preparedness are Colorado's bread and butter. As we venture deeper into the digital age, it's critical we lead the way in next-generation technologies. It's good for our economy and national security."

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Nodes, Enterprise Workloads, and Hybrid Operations, Resilience, Integration, Zero-Trust, Orbital Networks (NEW HORIZON) Act:

• Establishes a Department of War operational pilot program for orbital data center and space-based cloud computing services;
• Authorizes testing and limited operational employment in support of intelligence, space domain awareness, command and control, and other national security missions;
• Directs the Department to assess operational integration, mission utility, resilience, and cybersecurity protections;
• Requires evaluation of protection and defense concepts for orbital infrastructure against cyber, electronic warfare, counterspace, and kinetic threats;
• Ensures interoperability with existing Department of War command, control, communications, and intelligence systems.