To authorize programs for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 2025, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Cruz (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Moran, Mr. Peters, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes $25.5 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2025 and sets policy priorities for America's space program. It continues the Artemis lunar exploration program, establishes a framework for transitioning from the International Space Station to commercial space stations, and supports aeronautics research including hypersonic and hydrogen aviation technologies.
Who Benefits and How
Commercial space companies are the primary beneficiaries of this legislation. SpaceX, Blue Origin, Axiom Space, and other US commercial providers gain significant revenue opportunities through mandated procurement of lunar landers, commercial space stations, spacesuits, and satellite data services. The bill requires NASA to select at least 2 commercial lunar lander providers and 2+ commercial space station developers. Traditional aerospace contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin benefit from continued Space Launch System and Mars Sample Return funding. Universities and colleges benefit from increased Space Grant funding ($75 million for FY2025-2029).
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers bear the primary burden through the $25.5 billion authorization. NASA faces increased reporting requirements with numerous mandated congressional briefings on everything from spacesuit testing to lunar time standardization. ISS operations contractors may see reduced future work as operations transition to commercial platforms. Chinese space entities and US researchers seeking Chinese collaboration face explicit barriers, as the bill restricts federal funds for bilateral activities with China.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes $25.5 billion for NASA in FY2025, including $7.6B for Exploration, $7.6B for Science, and $4.5B for Space Operations
- Establishes Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program with timelines: RFP by September 2025, select 2+ commercial stations by March 2026, operational by December 2030
- Requires procurement of human-rated lunar landing capabilities from at least 2 US commercial providers
- Mandates NASA maintain ISS until commercial space stations achieve operational capability
- Codifies Planetary Defense Coordination Office for near-Earth object detection and response
- Expands NASA's Other Transaction Authority for more flexible procurement with commercial partners
- Restricts bilateral space activities with China except with Administrator certification
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Authorizes NASA funding for fiscal year 2025 and establishes policy priorities for space exploration including the Artemis lunar program, transition from ISS to commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, aeronautics research, and science missions.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Ensure continuity of US space exploration programs, transition from government-operated ISS to commercial low-Earth orbit providers, maintain US leadership in lunar exploration, and support commercialization of space economy"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Commercial space companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc.)
- NASA prime contractors (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman)
- Commercial satellite data providers
- Small business R&D contractors (SBIR participants)
- Universities and research institutions
- Johnson Space Center and other NASA centers
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (25.5 billion authorized)
- ISS international partners during transition period
- NASA workforce if commercial transition reduces agency role
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator_faa"
- → Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_comptroller_general"
- → Comptroller General of the United States
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of NASA
- "the_comptroller_general"
- → Comptroller General of the United States
Note: The term 'Administrator' consistently refers to the Administrator of NASA throughout the bill, with one exception in Title V Section 504 where 'Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration' is also referenced separately
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The International Space Station
The Space Launch System authorized under section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322)
The multipurpose crew vehicle described in section 303 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323)
A transportation system that is comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using manned or unmanned aircraft
The region of space beyond low-Earth orbit out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
The region of space beyond low-Earth orbit that includes cislunar space
The area encompassing Earth-centered orbits at an altitude not more than 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers)
Any person providing space services or space-related capabilities, primary control of which is held by persons other than the Federal Government, a State or local government, or a foreign government
The maintenance by the United States of the presence, in low-Earth orbit on 1 or more space stations on a permanent, on-going basis, of not fewer than 1 government astronaut or 1 astronaut sponsored by the United States Government
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