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,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
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--
(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.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
(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.
END
