Legis Daily

ORBITS Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-4814| Senate 
| Updated: 12/22/2022
John W. Hickenlooper

John W. Hickenlooper

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (3)
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Sep 12, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Sep 12, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Dec 21, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)
Dec 21, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 21, 2022
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)
Dec 21, 2022
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 22, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 22, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 22, 2022
Held at the desk.
  • September 12, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 12, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 21, 2022
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)


  • December 21, 2022
    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 22, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 22, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 22, 2022
    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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 12, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Sep 12, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Dec 21, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)
Dec 21, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 21, 2022
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)
Dec 21, 2022
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 22, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 22, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 22, 2022
Held at the desk.
  • September 12, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 12, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: S10024)


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 21, 2022
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9759)


  • December 21, 2022
    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 22, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 22, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 22, 2022
    Held at the desk.
John W. Hickenlooper

John W. Hickenlooper

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (3)
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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