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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 966 (101st)

Ban Nuclear Power in Earth Orbit Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

9 February 1989

Last action

3 April 1989 · Referred

Status

Executive Comment Requested from DOE.

Sponsors

Rep. Brown, George E., Jr. [D-CA-42], Rep. Udall, Morris K. [D-AZ-2], Rep. Scheuer, James H. [D-NY-8], Rep. AuCoin, Les [D-OR-1], Rep. Olin, James R. [D-VA-6], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Rep. Walgren, Doug [D-PA-18], Rep. Foglietta, Thomas M. [D-PA-1], Rep. Hochbrueckner, George J. [D-NY-1], Rep. Mrazek, Robert J. [D-NY-3], Rep. Leach, James A. [R-IA-2], Rep. Dellums, Ronald V. [D-CA-9], Rep. Wolpe, Howard E. [D-MI-3], Rep. Coyne, William J. [D-PA-14], Rep. Smith, Lawrence [D-FL-16], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17], Rep. Bates, Jim [D-CA-44], Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5], Rep. Dymally, Mervyn M. [D-CA-31], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4], Rep. Wheat, Alan [D-MO-5], Del. Fauntroy, Walter E. [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-11], Rep. Morrison, Bruce A. [D-CT-3], Rep. Panetta, Leon [D-CA-16], Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10], Rep. Nowak, Henry [D-NY-33], Rep. Neal, Stephen L. [D-NC-5], Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10], Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17], Rep. Skaggs, David E. [D-CO-2], Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2], Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28], Rep. Weiss, Ted [D-NY-17], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA], Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13], Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-33]

Subjects

Nuclear energy

Source updated

26 August 2025

Nuclear energy

Summary

Ban Nuclear Power in Earth Orbit Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress encouraging the President to call on the Soviet Union to abandon the use of nuclear power sources in Earth orbit and to join the United States in negotiation to establish a permanent ban on such use. Directs the President to certify to the Congress at least 90 days after this Act's enactment whether the Soviet Union has indicated an official policy to abandon the use of nuclear power sources in Earth orbit. Prohibits the launch into Earth orbit of any U.S. owned or funded spacecraft if the President certifies the Soviet Union's policy to abandon the use in question. Terminates the prohibition if the Soviet Union places a nuclear power source into Earth orbit after indicating its official policy not to do so. Declares that this Act does not prohibit the use of nuclear power sources for a Moon base or for deep space scientific and exploration missions.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 9 February 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 9 February 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 9 February 1989

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 14 February 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications.

    Source: Committee

  5. 16 February 1989

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

    Source: Committee

  6. 21 February 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Arms Control, International Security and Science.

    Source: Committee

  7. 3 April 1989

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from DOE.

    Source: Committee

  8. 3 April 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Procurement and Military Nuclear Systems.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

2 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 9 February 1989

    Open at official source

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    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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