Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act
Congress Would Require NASA to Expand Buying and Sharing Commercial Earth Satellite Data
ASCEND Act
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Congress would require NASA to create a standing program to buy Earth-observing satellite data and imagery from private companies.
- The goal is to support NASA science, day-to-day operations, and education, and to fill gaps alongside NASA and partner satellites.
- The bill says contract terms can’t block publishing the data for science or publishing results built from that data.
- NASA would be encouraged to set license terms so the data can be used as widely as possible beyond NASA-funded researchers.
- NASA would be told to buy from U.S. companies when practical and to send Congress a report within 180 days and every year after.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2242-2243)
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2600.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
Liberal party executive agrees to permanently bury review into catastrophic 2025 election defeat
The federal government lost 4 million years of collective experience in 2025. These graphs tell the story. - The Boston
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ASCEND Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(6)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.