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Bill117th CongressFiled Sep 12, 2022Science, Technology, Communications
S. 4814

ORBITS Act of 2022

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What it doesSummary passed senate (Dec 21, 2022)

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2022 or the ORBITS Act of 2022

This bill directs specified agencies to take actions to remediate orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities).

First, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must

  • publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that pose the greatest immediate risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities,
  • establish a demonstration program to foster the development of technologies to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and
  • carry out other research and development activities to advance technologies for remediating orbital debris.

NASA (and other relevant agencies) may also contract for remediation services to support the commercial availability of such services.

Second, the National Space Council must update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and update them periodically thereafter. The updates must address matters including satellite constellations and other planned space systems, collision risks, and disposal of space systems after missions. The updates must inform (1) regulations of other agencies concerning orbital debris, and (2) bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries concerning certain space activities.

Third, the Department of Commerce must facilitate the development of standard practices to coordinate on-orbit space traffic. Upon completion of the practices, Commerce and other federal departments must promote their adoption and use for space missions.

What just happenedDec 22, 2022

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO](D-CO)Sponsor
3 cosponsors1 D2 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors1committees10actions1amendments12subjects
  1. Dec 22, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Dec 22, 2022FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Dec 22, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Dec 21, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)

  5. Dec 21, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  6. Dec 21, 2022Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)

  7. Dec 21, 2022Discharge

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  8. Dec 21, 2022Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  9. Sep 12, 2022IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  10. Sep 12, 2022IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed SenateDec 21, 202255

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2022 or the ORBITS Act of 2022

This bill directs specified agencies to take actions to remediate orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities).

First, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must

  • publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that pose the greatest immediate risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities,
  • establish a demonstration program to foster the development of technologies to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and
  • carry out other research and development activities to advance technologies for remediating orbital debris.

NASA (and other relevant agencies) may also contract for remediation services to support the commercial availability of such services.

Second, the National Space Council must update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and update them periodically thereafter. The updates must address matters including satellite constellations and other planned space systems, collision risks, and disposal of space systems after missions. The updates must inform (1) regulations of other agencies concerning orbital debris, and (2) bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries concerning certain space activities.

Third, the Department of Commerce must facilitate the development of standard practices to coordinate on-orbit space traffic. Upon completion of the practices, Commerce and other federal departments must promote their adoption and use for space missions.

Introduced in SenateSep 12, 2022

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2022 or the ORBITS Act of 2022

This bill directs specified agencies to take actions to remediate orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities).

First, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must

  • publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that pose the greatest immediate risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities,
  • establish a demonstration program to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and
  • carry out other research and development activities to advance technologies for remediating orbital debris.

NASA (and other relevant agencies) may also contract for remediation services to support the commercial availability of such services.

Second, the National Space Council must update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and update them periodically thereafter. The updates must address matters including satellite constellations and other planned space systems, collision risks, and disposal of space systems after missions. The updates must inform (1) regulations of other agencies concerning orbital debris, and (2) bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries concerning certain space activities.

Third, the Department of Commerce must facilitate the development of standard practices to coordinate on-orbit space traffic. Upon completion of the practices, Commerce and other federal departments must promote their adoption and use for space missions.

ORBITS Act of 2022 — Informed