Sec. 108. Statement of policy on cooperation in peaceful exploration of space and strategy to develop collaborative, transparent conduct in space
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It is the sense of Congress that— the United States should seek areas of cooperation in the peaceful exploration of space; the testing and use of anti-satellite technologies by the Government of China or any other country— threatens the peaceful use of space; creates dangerous space debris that impedes the space efforts of all countries; and contributes to a climate of suspicion and instability with respect to space exploration, rather than a climate of cooperation; and it is in the interests of all countries to establish and adhere to norms and treaties enshrining principles of free, peaceful, and collaborative conduct in space.
It is the policy of the United States to seek cooperation in the peaceful exploration of space with any country, including the People’s Republic of China, so long as such cooperation does not— impinge on critical domestic technologies; pose a risk to the security of the United States; further debris-producing anti-satellite weapons testing; and threaten human rights protections. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the National Space Council, shall submit to Congress— a strategy for pursuing bilateral and multilateral efforts to develop norms, treaties, and agreements governing responsible, collaborative, and transparent conduct in space, including— remote proximity operations between satellites or crewed vehicles; reinforcing and building upon existing agreements limiting the stationing of weapons in outer space or on a celestial body; greater interoperability between space systems, as appropriate, including in furtherance of the United Nations Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space , entered into force on December 3, 1968; the protection of heritage or historical sites and artifacts; the registration and mitigation of space debris and development of responsible procedures for disposal of satellites and other objects; clarifying and enhancing responsibility for oversight and governance of commercial or private space activities; the promotion of transparency between countries with respect to space operations and intentions; the sharing of scientific data and research; and reinforcing and expanding adoption of current international treaties and agreements governing conduct in space; a strategy for maintaining and enhancing efforts to return humans to the Moon and successfully carry out a crewed mission to Mars; and an assessment of the sufficiency of current law and government structures to oversee space activities and foster continuing growth of space industry, including recommendations to achieve the same and a description of any provision of law that unnecessarily impedes appropriate collaboration with foreign countries on space programs.