Sec. 1611. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON PLAN FOR DETERRENCE IN SPACE

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## SEC. 1611 INDEPENDENT STUDY ON PLAN FOR DETERRENCE IN SPACE ###

(a)Independent Study ####

(1)In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center or other independent entity to conduct a study on deterrence in space. ####

(2)Matters included The study under paragraph

(1)shall include, at a minimum, the following: #####

(A)An assessment of the existing range of major studies and writings on space deterrence and a comprehensive comparative analysis of the conclusions of such studies and writings. #####

(B)An examination, using appropriate analytical tools, of the approaches proposed by such studies and writings with respect to creating conditions of deterrence suitable for use in the space domain, including, at a minimum, an assessment of all aspects of deterrence in space, including varying classification, strategies to deny benefit or impose cost, and space mission assurance (including resilience, active defense, and reconstitution). #####

(C)A determination, made either by extending such studies and writings or through new analysis, of a holistic and comprehensive theory of deterrence in space appropriate for use in defense planning. #####

(D)An evaluation of existing policies, programs, and plans of the Department of Defense to provide an assessment of the likely effectiveness of those policies, programs, and plans to achieve effective space deterrence. ###

(b)Assessment by Defense Policy Board Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Defense Policy Board shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an assessment of the study under subsection (a)(1), including, at a minimum— ####

(1)a determination of the soundness of the study; ####

(2)a description of any disagreements the Board has with the conclusions of such study, including recommended changes or clarifications to such conclusions the Board determines appropriate; and ####

(3)changes to the policies, programs, and plans of the Department of Defense that the Board recommends based on such study and the changes and clarifications described in paragraph (2). ###

(c)Report Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that contains the following: ####

(1)The study under subsection (a)(1), without change. ####

(2)The assessment under subsection (b), without change. ####

(3)Based on such study and assessment, a description of any changes to the policies, programs, and plans of the Department of Defense that the Secretary recommends to enhance deterrence in space, including with respect to— #####

(A)considerations and decision on reducing the opportunities and incentives for adversaries to attack space systems of the United States or allies of the United States; #####

(B)new architectures, including proliferated systems, hosted payloads, nontraditional orbits, and reconstitution among others; #####

(C)appropriate uses of partnering with both commercial entities and allies to improve deterrence in space; #####

(D)necessary capabilities to enhance the protection of space systems to achieve improved deterrence; #####

(E)bilateral, multilateral, and unilateral measures, including confidence-building measures, that could be taken to reduce the risk of miscalculation that would lead to an attack in space; #####

(F)policies and capability requirements with regard to attribution of an attack in space; #####

(G)policies with regard to retaliatory measures either in space or on the ground; #####

(H)authorities with regard to decisions and actions to defend assets of the United States in space; and #####

(I)changes to current war plans, routine operations (including information sharing), and demonstration and test procedures that could enhance the capability of the United States to signal the intentions and capabilities of the United States in an effective manner. ###

(d)Briefing Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a briefing on the study under subsection (a)(1) and the assessment under subsection (b).