The NEW HORIZON Act directs the Department of Defense to launch a pilot program testing commercial orbital data center and space-based cloud computing services for military and intelligence operations. The program, which must begin within one year and run for up to five years, will evaluate whether processing data in space rather than on the ground can reduce delays, improve mission effectiveness, and enhance resilience in contested environments. The pilot will assess security measures, test integration with existing military systems, and examine vulnerabilities to cyber and physical threats, with a focus on protecting classified information. The Defense Department must report findings to Congress by December 31, 2028, including recommendations on whether to adopt these services for sustained military use. The legislation encourages competition among commercial space providers to strengthen the domestic space industry and support innovation in orbital infrastructure.
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