YourVoice.Now Summary
EnvironmentCorporate BenefitsTransparency & AccountabilityNASA would test ways to clear dead satellites from orbit, backed by $150 million through 2030.
Environment
NASA would run a test program to pull dead satellites and old rocket parts out of orbit. The $150 million is spread over 2026 through 2030 and flows only if Congress funds it.
A White House space council would rewrite the government's junk rules, with help from NASA, the FAA, the FCC, and the Pentagon. The rules must cover crash risk, blast risk, and how fast a dead satellite comes down.
Commerce would work with satellite owners on shared rules of the road for orbit. Other countries would be urged to use them, but no one is made to follow them.
Corporate Benefits
NASA would set up the award program within 180 days of the bill becoming law. U.S. companies, colleges, and nonprofits could compete, and NASA could share government data and equipment with them.
Once the test program shows what works, agencies could hire private firms to remove debris. The work would be bid openly, with payment tied to steps agreed up front.
Nothing in the bill lets NASA write rules for this program or for space work in general. New rules would still have to come from other agencies, such as the FAA or FCC.
Transparency & Accountability
The Commerce Department would post the list on a public website within 90 days and update it over time. It must leave out anything drawn from private data sources.
The Office of Space Commerce would publish how much cleanup work it expects the government and private firms to buy. The estimate covers the ten years starting in 2026 and follows the test program's results.
Any of the $150 million not committed to a project by September 30, 2030 would be taken back. The cancellation would happen by December 31 of that year.
More about this bill
You would see no change in your bills or paperwork. The target here is space junk. Dead satellites and old rocket parts are piling up in orbit. They can smash into the satellites behind GPS, weather alerts, and internet service. The bill would have NASA run a test program to pull some of that junk down. It sets aside up to $150 million for 2026 through 2030, and only if Congress funds it. Within 90 days, the Commerce Department would post a public list of junk that could be cleared safely. Within 180 days, NASA would open a contest for U.S. companies, colleges, and nonprofits. Winners would build and test removal gear. NASA would then pick one to fly a real mission. Before it flies, NASA must weigh the danger to people in space and on the ground. Later, agencies could hire private firms to do this work under open contracts. The bill also aims to stop new junk from forming. A White House space council would rewrite the government's debris standards within one year. Those standards cover crash risk, explosion risk, and how fast a satellite must come down when its job ends. They would be checked at least every five years. Commerce would also help write shared rules for satellite traffic, but no one would be forced to follow them. NASA gains no power to write regulations of its own. Any of the $150 million left uncommitted by September 30, 2030 would be canceled.
Congressional Summary
Orbital Sustainability Act of 2025 or the ORBITS Act of 2025This bill requires specified agencies to support research and develop guidance on the remediation of orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm active satellites and space activities).Under the bill, the Department of Commerce must maintain a list of orbital debris that may be remediated to improve safety and sustainability in space. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must establish a demonstration project to make competitive awards for research and development leading to the remediation of listed debris. NASA must ultimately select and partner with an entity to carry out a demonstration mission using technology capable of on-orbit remediation. After the first demonstration mission, NASA must report to Congress with recommendations to improve orbital debris remediation.The bill also authorizes NASA and other relevant agencies to contract for orbital debris remediation services.Separately, the National Space Council, in coordination with specified agencies, must update the existing U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices. This update must consider planned space systems (e.g., satellite constellations) and address factors including collision risk and post-mission disposal of space systems. The updated standard practices must be used to inform future federal regulations related to orbital debris and international discussions related to nongovernment space activities.Finally, Commerce, in coordination with specified federal entities, must facilitate the development of standard practices for coordinating space traffic and promote their adoption and use for domestic and international space missions.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-06-18
- Date Added
- 2026-07-14
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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