NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Babin
In Committee
Summary
Authorizes $24.4 billion for NASA in FY2026. The bill would continue the Moon‑to‑Mars / Artemis architecture while pushing greater commercialization of low‑Earth orbit and the ISS, expanding Earth‑observation and wildland fire programs, and changing workforce and procurement rules.
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- NASA workers: creates a Public‑Private Talent Program with temporary assignments lasting up to 3 years total and capped at 2% of the civil servant workforce. Assignments include ethics safeguards and a post‑assignment service obligation equal to twice the assignment length.
- Commercial space industry: requires U.S. commercial providers for human‑rated lunar landers and favors not fewer than two providers when feasible. It also directs NASA to buy commercial Earth observation data through a new acquisition program and to prefer U.S. launch and reentry services where practical.
- Scientists and emergency managers: establishes FireSense to improve wildfire prediction, detection, and recovery with annual reporting for five years, and creates a Planetary Defense Coordination Office while directing studies on Landsat and commercial data continuity.
*Would authorize $24.4 billion for NASA in FY2026, creating a potential increase in federal spending if Congress provides the appropriation.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
NASA FY2026 Funding Authorization
If enacted, the bill would authorize $24.44 billion for NASA for fiscal year 2026. The bill lists program amounts, for example $7.78 billion for Exploration and $7.25 billion for Science. These are authorization amounts and do not by themselves appropriate or spend the money.
NASA Workforce Programs and Grants
If enacted, the bill would let NASA arrange temporary assignments between civil servants and private companies, with limits (3 months minimum, up to 2 years per assignment, 3 years total) and a return‑service obligation equal to twice the assignment length. NASA must run a mentoring program, expand skilled‑technical outreach, revise Space Grant allocations so at least 85% goes to consortia, and add NASA to SBIR Phase II flexibility. Other agencies could transfer research or education funds to NASA for grants with reporting requirements.
Commercial Earth Data for Farmers
If enacted, the bill would make NASA buy and share more commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery and try to buy from U.S. vendors when practical. NASA would set license terms that allow wide use and must report on agreements within 180 days and annually. The bill also directs NASA and NOAA to study commercial space weather and OSTP to consider commercial Earth data when updating the federal plan.
Big Science Missions and Mars Plan
If enacted, the bill would continue work on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and let NASA start a Great Observatories maturation program to prepare large astrophysics missions. Subject to appropriations, it would also direct NASA to lead a Mars Sample Return program and send Congress a plan and timeline within 180 days. The bill sets mission cadence guidance for Heliophysics and asks NASA to give recent Hubble reboost studies to Congress within 90 days.
Limits on NASA-China Bilateral Work
If enacted, the bill would bar NASA, OSTP, and the National Space Council from using funds in this Act to do bilateral work with the People's Republic of China or PRC‑owned companies. Agencies could only proceed if, after consulting the FBI, they certify the activity poses no risk of transferring sensitive technology or involves officials linked to major human‑rights violations and notify Congress at least 30 days in advance.
Program Cost and Planning Reforms
If enacted, the bill would require independent life‑cycle cost estimates after a project's preliminary design review and bar obligating implementation funds until Congress receives the estimate. It would add major NASA budget changes as a possible trigger to reexamine decadal surveys and require reports on a possible space resources institute and other planning steps. The bill also says that NASA employees may continue to speak publicly about their research under agency scientific integrity policies.
SLS Demand From Non‑NASA Users
If enacted, the bill would require NASA to assess demand for the Space Launch System (SLS) from non‑NASA users and report to Congress within 180 days. The report must show demand by federal agencies and private sectors, estimate cost or schedule savings, and list barriers and the costs to remove them. This could expand SLS use by other customers but also requires NASA to analyze and report potential costs.
Wildfire Data and Drone Rules
If enacted, the bill would require NASA to use wildland fire commission recommendations and to start 'FireSense' to help predict and respond to fires. NASA must report to Congress yearly on FireSense for five years. The bill would also ban NASA from buying UAS wildfire systems made or assembled by certain covered foreign entities unless NASA issues a national‑interest waiver and notifies Congress within 30 days; reporting continues through December 31, 2031.
LEO Transition and ISS Plans
If enacted, the bill would require NASA to plan for U.S. access to low Earth orbit and to support development of private U.S. LEO platforms. NASA must report risk assessments on LEO access within 270 days and submit a LEO architecture strategy and an accounting of NASA LEO requirements within months. The bill would require NASA to keep a steady ISS flight cadence (subject to appropriations), acquire controlled deorbit capability from U.S. commercial providers, and allow nongovernmental human missions on the ISS with GAO oversight.
Moon and Artemis Exploration Plan
If enacted, the bill would push NASA to keep Moon‑to‑Mars work moving and to buy human‑rated lunar landers only from U.S. commercial providers. It would direct NASA, subject to available funding, to seek landers from at least two U.S. companies and to report within 60 days on recent and planned government investments. The bill would require NASA to preserve in‑house spacesuit expertise, report in 180 days on in‑space testing and transition plans, and start an independent review of current suit systems within 45 days with results due in 270 days.
Commercial Hypersonics Testing Program
If enacted, the bill would let NASA set up a Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics program to give testing opportunities for high‑speed aircraft and related tech. NASA must make a strategic plan within 60 days and an initial report within 80 days. The program would bar agreements with entities of concern or certain foreign actors.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Babin
TX • R
Cosponsors
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Haridopolos
FL • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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