The record

LegislationLegislation· Nov 2023
S 447

Sponsored by John W. Hickenlooper (D)

ORBITS Act of 2023

Would have started a federal push to remove dangerous space junk, authorizing $150 million through 2028.

Tradeoff

Would have authorized $150 million for NASA debris-removal projects through 2028. Would have required Commerce to publish a public debris list and space traffic rules.

What's in it

See official bill text

Authorizes $150 million for NASA orbital debris remediation awards and contracts, available through 2028, with no effect on direct spending or revenues.

The $150 million is a authorized federal spending ceiling for NASA to fund debris cleanup research and contracts, while the bill's main effect is new Commerce and FCC coordination duties on space operators.

S. 447, ORBITS Act of 2023 · Dec 2024

Passed the Senate by on October 31, 2023. The bill expired with the 118th Congress without becoming law.

  1. Senate

    Introduced

    (Feb 15, 2023)

  2. Senate

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation(Feb 15, 2023)

  3. Senate

    The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to send it to the floor

    Reported(Jul 27, 2023)

  4. Senate · Amended

    Senator Hickenlooper's

    Agreed to by (S.Amdt. 1358 · Oct 31, 2023)

    Drops the space traffic coordination standards and debris remediation services sections, moves the debris list to Commerce, and adds a deadline to rescind unspent demonstration funds.

    No individual votes were recorded.

  5. Senate

    Passage of the bill

    Passed by (Oct 31, 2023)

    No individual votes were recorded.

  6. House

    Received from the Senate

    Received(Nov 6, 2023)