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119-s-4264119th CongressWALLET

NASA UAS Detection Act

Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would give NASA authority to detect, identify, monitor, and track unmanned aircraft systems that pose a credible threat to NASA facilities or assets. It sets rules for what NASA can do, who it must coordinate with, and how it must protect privacy and report to Congress.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Rules for contractors doing NASA drone work

This bill would require contractors working under NASA's drone-detection authority to be directly contracted by NASA and assigned to law enforcement duties in NASA's Office of Protective Services. Contractors would have to operate at a government-owned or government-leased facility, not perform inherently governmental functions, and be trained and certified by NASA to meet its guidance. Contractors would be subject to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 799. These requirements would take effect on enactment and end on September 30, 2031.

New NASA drone detection authority

This bill would let the NASA Administrator authorize actions to detect, identify, monitor, and track unmanned aircraft systems that the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, determines pose a credible threat to NASA facilities or assets. It would allow NASA to intercept or access communications used to control those systems only as needed to detect, identify, monitor, or track them, and such collection would have to follow the First and Fourth Amendments and other federal law. Records could be kept no more than 180 days unless the Administrator and the Attorney General agree longer retention is needed for a law enforcement or ongoing security operation. NASA would be limited to technologies on a jointly maintained authorized-technology list (DOJ, DHS, DOD, DOT, FCC, NASA, NTIA) and must coordinate guidance and any implementation with the FAA and other agencies when aviation safety or airspace could be affected. NASA would publish a risk-based list of covered facilities within 180 days and annually, and brief Congress every six months starting six months after enactment. The special authority would end on September 30, 2031 and would not transfer other agencies' authorities or change NTIA spectrum management powers.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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