A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 440.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Orbital Sustainability Act of 2025 aims to create a safe and sustainable orbital environment by addressing the growing problem of orbital debris. It establishes a demonstration project led by NASA to research, develop, and demonstrate technologies for active debris remediation. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of specific orbital debris that may need to be removed. Additionally, the act mandates the update of orbital debris mitigation standard practices to include modern space systems like satellite constellations. It also facilitates the development of standard practices for on-orbit space traffic coordination. Finally, the bill authorizes $150,000,000 for these efforts through the year 2030.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Does this put more into space exploration?
The bill improves the safety and sustainability of the space environment for exploration.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds research and demonstration of space debris remediation technologies.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill addresses potential environmental impacts of orbital debris reentry.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Space Safety: The bill seeks to improve the safety and sustainability of operations in low Earth orbit and nearby orbits by addressing the danger posed by growing orbital debris (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Support for Critical Missions: By securing access to outer space, the bill supports exploration, scientific research missions, and commercial space services that are critical to the United States (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Economic Opportunities for Entities: The demonstration project allows eligible entities—including non-Federal commercial entities, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations—to pursue the development of new technologies through competitive awards (Section 3(5) and Section 4(b)(1)).
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Risk Mitigation for Terrestrial Assets: The identification of orbital debris may include objects that pose a significant risk to people and assets on Earth due to potential environmental impacts from uncontrolled reentry (Section 4(a)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Casualty Risks: The bill acknowledges that the development and use of new debris remediation technologies must undergo risk analysis regarding the potential casualty risk to humans in space or on the Earth's surface (Section 4(b)(5)(B)(iii)).
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Risk from Uncontrolled Reentry: The text notes that certain orbital debris could pose a risk to terrestrial people and assets resulting from uncontrolled reentry (Section 4(a)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — The bill improves the safety and sustainability of the space environment for exploration. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds research and demonstration of space debris remediation technologies.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill fosters economic opportunities through competitive awards for debris remediation technologies. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill supports commercial space services and technology development which can drive economic growth.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill addresses potential environmental impacts of orbital debris reentry.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of a debris list on a public website. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal involvement in space debris management through NASA and the Secretary of Commerce.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides opportunities for commercial entities through competitive awards.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill encourages international cooperation for orbital debris remediation.
- 6/18/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-128.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 440.
- 2/12/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 5/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi