Establishes a NASA-run demonstration program to test technologies for removing dead satellites and other orbital debris, and requires federal agencies to develop uniform standard practices for reducing debris and coordinating space traffic.

Official title: ORBITS Act of 2025

Next stop Senate floor: awaiting a vote

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

Senate

Introduced 22-MAY-2025

Referred 22-MAY-2025

Approved by committee 12-FEB-2026

Reported 18-JUN-2026

On the calendar 18-JUN-2026

Key points

Directs NASA to set up a competitive demonstration project for technologies that remove selected orbital debris, subject to appropriations
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of debris that may be remediated within 90 days of enactment
Requires the National Space Council to begin updating the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days and publish the update within one year
Authorizes $150,000,000 for NASA for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and rescinds unobligated funds by December 31, 2030

AI-generated from the Reported to Senate text of 18-JUN-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

Current. The Congressional Research Service's summary covers the bill's latest wording (Reported to Senate, 18-JUN-2026).

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov

Committee referrals (1)

Policy area

Science, Technology, Communications

Sponsor John W. Hickenlooper (D-CO) Cosponsors · 3

■ 2 R■ 1 D

2 Republicans

1 Democrat