118th Congress Science, Technology, Communications
S. 447: ORBITS Act of 2023
Passed Senate
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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).
The Department of Commerce must publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that may be remediated to reduce the risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities. In addition, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must (1) establish a demonstration program to foster the development of technologies to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and (2) 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.
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Additionally, 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.
Finally, 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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
Showing 1 of 1 amendments
- S.Amdt. 1358John Hickenlooper D-COAgreedOct 31, 2023Oct 31, 2023: Amendment SA 1358 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Cosponsors
- Maria Cantwell D-WAOriginal
- Dianne Feinstein D-CAOriginal
- Cynthia Lummis R-WYOriginal
- Kyrsten Sinema I-AZOriginal
- Roger Wicker R-MSOriginal
Who scored on this bill
- 1John Hickenlooper SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate; 1 amendment offered, 1 agreed6 events+78
- 2Maria CantwellCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Dianne FeinsteinCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Cynthia LummisCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Kyrsten SinemaCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by John Hickenlooper
History
- Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
- Introduced in the Senate by John Hickenlooper.
Show the full action history (12 actions)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Received in the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5262-5266)
- The committee amendment as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5264-5266)
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5264-5266)
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 206.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.