Bill > S1898

This bill, known as the Orbital Sustainability Act of 2025 (ORBITS Act), establishes a comprehensive framework to address the growing problem of orbital debris in space. The bill creates a demonstration program for active debris remediation, which involves deliberately removing or repositioning space junk that no longer serves a purpose and poses risks to satellites and space operations. NASA will be responsible for managing a competitive grant program to develop and test new technologies for cleaning up orbital debris, with $150 million authorized for funding between 2026 and 2030. The bill also requires the National Space Council to update existing orbital debris mitigation standards, considering factors like collision risk, explosion potential, and spacecraft disposal timelines. Additionally, the Secretary of Commerce will be tasked with developing standard practices for space traffic coordination, involving consultation with commercial space industry representatives, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The legislation aims to improve space safety by encouraging international cooperation, supporting technological innovation, and creating uniform guidelines for managing orbital debris. The bill reflects growing concerns about the increasing amount of space waste and its potential to disrupt critical satellite services and space exploration missions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1898/all-info