ASCEND Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The ASCEND Act permanently authorizes NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program inside the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate. The program lets NASA acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery when doing so supports NASA scientific, operational, and educational needs or the needs of other federal agencies and researchers.
The bill also broadens permitted uses of commercial remote-sensing data. Acquisition terms may not prevent publication for scientific purposes or use by federally funded researchers, educators, and other eligible users. NASA must report annually to Congress on acquisition activities, implementation, and program performance.
Who Benefits and How
U.S. commercial Earth observation companies and commercial satellite data vendors benefit from a permanent NASA procurement channel. Scientific researchers, federally funded researchers, educators, NASA Earth Science users, and other federal agencies benefit from broader access to commercial Earth observation data and imagery. Congressional science committees benefit from recurring annual reporting on program activity.
Who Bears the Burden and How
NASA, the NASA Administrator, and the Earth Science Division must operate the permanent procurement program, manage acquisition terms, disseminate data, and prepare annual reports. Foreign commercial satellite data vendors may lose opportunity if NASA prioritizes U.S. vendors for purchases. NASA internal satellite-development programs may face more comparison against commercial data procurement.
Key Provisions
- Codifies the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program in NASA statute.
- Directs NASA to acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery.
- Requires acquisition terms to allow scientific publication and use by federally funded researchers.
- Expands access for educators, other federal agencies, and eligible data users.
- Requires NASA to report annually to Congress on program implementation and acquisitions.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Permanently authorizes NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program to acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery for NASA, other federal agencies, researchers, and educators.
Key Policy Areas
Space, Science and Technology, Government Procurement
Primary Purpose
Permanently authorizes NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program to acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery for NASA, other federal agencies, researchers, and educators.
Policy Domains
Whole bill
Identified Gains
- U.S. commercial Earth observation companies
- Commercial satellite data vendors
- Scientific researchers
- Federally funded researchers
- Educators
- NASA Earth Science users
- Other federal agencies
Identified Costs
- NASA Administrator
- NASA Earth Science Division
- Foreign commercial satellite data vendors
- NASA internal satellite-development programs
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
Passed SenateHeld at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR …
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz …
Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
Passed Senate (inferred from es version)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Foreign commercial satellite data vendors, US commercial Earth remote sensing companies, US commercial satellite data vendors
Positive-direction: US commercial Earth remote sensing companies, US commercial satellite data vendors
Negative-direction: Foreign commercial satellite data vendors
Federally funded researchers, Federally funded researchers and academic institutions, Scientific researchers
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology