Bill > HR8787

This bill, the Orbital Sustainability Act of 2024 or the ORBITS Act of 2024, aims to address the growing problem of orbital debris and ensure the safety and sustainability of operations in low-Earth orbit and nearby orbits. Key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders, to publish a list of identified orbital debris that may be targeted for remediation to improve the safety and sustainability of orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities. 2. Establishing an Active Orbital Debris Remediation Demonstration Project led by the NASA Administrator to support the research, development, and demonstration of technologies for active debris remediation. 3. Authorizing the acquisition of active debris remediation services by the federal government through fair and open competition, and requiring an economic analysis of the estimated demand for such services. 4. Directing the National Space Council to update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices to address various aspects of debris management, and promoting the adoption of these updated standards both domestically and internationally. 5. Requiring the Secretary of Commerce to facilitate the development of standard practices for on-orbit space traffic coordination, in consultation with relevant agencies and industry stakeholders. The overall goal of the bill is to enhance the safety and sustainability of the space environment by addressing the growing threat of orbital debris through a combination of government-led initiatives, industry collaboration, and the development of uniform standards and best practices.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8787/all-info