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United States · Bill · S

S. 447 (118th)

ORBITS Act of 2023

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

15 February 2023

Last action

6 November 2023 · Floor

Status

Held at the desk.

Sponsors

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [I-AZ], Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

14 January 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2023 or the ORBITS Act of 2023 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.

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

Timeline

  1. 15 February 2023

    Introduced

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

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 15 February 2023

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 July 2023

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  4. 12 September 2023

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 206.

    Source: Calendars

  5. 12 September 2023

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  6. 12 September 2023

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  7. 31 October 2023

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5262-5266)

    Source: Floor

  8. 31 October 2023

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5264-5266)

    Source: Floor

  9. 6 November 2023

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  10. 6 November 2023

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  11. 6 November 2023

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

9 official files

Engrossed in Senate (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 31 October 2023

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 31 October 2023

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Passed Senate

    summary · EN · 31 October 2023

    Open at official source

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 12 September 2023

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 12 September 2023

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  • Reported to Senate

    summary · EN · 12 September 2023

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 February 2023

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 February 2023

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 15 February 2023

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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