ASCEND Act
Sponsored By: Representative Hurd (CO)
Passed House
Summary
This bill would create a formal NASA program to _access commercial Earth remote sensing data_ and imagery to augment NASA’s observations and expand use by researchers and other federal users.
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- Researchers and educators would gain broader access to commercial satellite imagery under license terms that allow scientific publication and wider reuse beyond NASA-funded projects.
- Other federal agencies would be able to supplement federal and international Earth observations with procured commercial data for operational and research needs.
- U.S. commercial satellite vendors would see a clearer, expanded pathway to sell data to NASA, since acquisitions must, to the maximum extent practicable, come from U.S. vendors.
- NASA would report within 180 days and then annually on vendor agreements, license terms, and how each agreement advances research priorities, including whether data use is open to nonfederal users.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More satellite data access for researchers
If enacted, NASA would set up a program to buy and share commercial Earth imagery for science, operations, and education. NASA would try to buy from U.S. companies when possible. NASA would set license terms so people beyond NASA projects can use the data, and would not allow terms that block scientific publishing or derived results. Other agencies and researchers could use the data when agreements allow. NASA would report to Congress within 180 days and every year, listing agreements, license terms, how they support science priorities, and who can use the data.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hurd (CO)
CO • R
Cosponsors
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 4/2/2025
Subramanyam
VA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Crank
CO • R
Sponsored 4/29/2025
Gillen
NY • D
Sponsored 4/29/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Kean
NJ • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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