U.S.
Space Preservation Act
HR
3657 IH
108th
CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3657
To
preserve the cooperative, peaceful uses of space for the
benefit of all humankind by prohibiting the basing of weapons
in space and the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects
in space that are in orbit, and for other purposes.
IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December
8, 2003
Mr.
KUCINICH (for himself, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. CONYERS, and Mr.
HINCHEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committees
on Armed Services and International Relations, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A
BILL
To
preserve the cooperative, peaceful uses of space for the
benefit of all humankind by prohibiting the basing of weapons
in space and the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects
in space that are in orbit, and for other purposes.
Be
it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This
Act may be cited as the 'Space Preservation Act of 2003'.
SEC.
2. REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY ON THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE
IN SPACE.
Congress
reaffirms the policy expressed in section 102(a) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451(a)),
stating that it 'is the policy of the United States that
activities in space should be devoted to peaceful purposes
for the benefit of all mankind.'.
SEC.
3. BAN ON BASING OF WEAPONS IN SPACE AND THE USE OF WEAPONS
AGAINST OBJECTS IN SPACE IN ORBIT.
(1)
implement a ban on space-based weapons of the United States
and the use of weapons of the United States to destroy
or damage objects in space that are in orbit; and
(2) immediately order the termination of research and
development, testing, manufacturing, production, and deployment
of all space-based weapons of the United States.
SEC.
4. INTERNATIONAL TREATY BANNING SPACE-BASED WEAPONS AND
THE USE OF WEAPONS AGAINST OBJECTS IN SPACE IN ORBIT.
The
President shall direct the United States representatives
to the United Nations and other international organizations
to immediately work toward negotiating, adopting, and implementing
an international treaty banning space-based weapons and
the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space
that are in orbit.
The
President shall submit to Congress not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
6 months thereafter, a report on--
(1)
the implementation of the ban on space-based weapons and
the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space
that are in orbit required by section 3; and
(2) progress toward negotiating, adopting, and implementing
the treaty described in section 4.
SEC.
6. SPACE-BASED NONWEAPONS ACTIVITIES.
Nothing
in this Act may be construed as prohibiting the use of
funds for--
(1)
space exploration;
(2) space research and development;
(3) testing, manufacturing, or production that is not
related to space-based weapons or systems; or
(4) civil, commercial, or defense activities (including
communications, navigation, surveillance, reconnaissance,
early warning, or remote sensing) that are not related
to space-based weapons or systems.
In
this Act:
(1)
The term 'space' means all space extending upward from
an altitude greater than 110 kilometers above the surface
of the earth and any celestial body in such space.
(2) The terms 'space-based weapon' and 'space-based system'
mean a device capable of damaging or destroying an object
or person (whether in outer space, in the atmosphere,
or on earth) by--
(A)
firing one or more projectiles to collide with that
object or person;
(B) detonating one or more explosive devices in close
proximity to that object or person; or
(C) any other undeveloped means.
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