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ORBITS Act of 2025
Type: Legislative proposal
Status: Introduced (S.1898, 119th Congress)
Sponsors: Senators Cantwell, Hickenlooper, Lummis, Wicker (bipartisan)
Domain: Orbital debris mitigation, active debris removal
Support: Secure World Foundation
Overview
The Orbital Sustainability Act of 2025 (ORBITS Act) is bipartisan Senate legislation that would establish the first mandatory US active debris removal program. The Act represents the most significant legislative response to the orbital debris crisis in the 119th Congress.
Key Provisions
- NASA Priority List: Direct NASA to publish a priority list of highest-risk debris objects for removal
- ADR Demonstration Program: Establish an active debris removal demonstration program partnering with commercial industry
- Standards Update: Direct National Space Council to update Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
- Commercial Partnership: Create framework for government-industry collaboration on debris removal
Strategic Significance
The ORBITS Act creates a legislative pathway where voluntary governance frameworks (WEF, ESA) have failed. As of January 2026, both SpaceX and Amazon Kuiper have declined to endorse the WEF voluntary guidelines. The Act's ADR demonstration program could catalyze the commercial ADR market needed to bridge the gap between current capacity (1-2 objects/year) and the 60+ objects/year threshold required for LEO stabilization.
Bipartisan sponsorship in the current political environment is significant, suggesting broad recognition of orbital debris as a strategic national security and economic issue.
Timeline
- 2025 — ORBITS Act (S.1898) introduced in 119th Congress with bipartisan sponsorship
- 2026-01 — Secure World Foundation publicly supports Act as legislative response to voluntary governance failure