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.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Science, Technology, Communications
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsCongressional oversightEconomic performance and conditionsGovernment information and archivesInternational scientific cooperationLicensing and registrationsRadio spectrum allocationResearch and developmentScientific communicationSpacecraft and satellitesTechnology assessment
ORBITS Act of 2022
USA117th CongressS-4814| Senate
| Updated: 12/22/2022
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.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsCongressional oversightEconomic performance and conditionsGovernment information and archivesInternational scientific cooperationLicensing and registrationsRadio spectrum allocationResearch and developmentScientific communicationSpacecraft and satellitesTechnology assessment