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Congress·Passed Senate·3 months ago

NASA to Buy and Share More Commercial Satellite Images and Data

Also known as: ASCEND Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ Senate
House
President

Key Points

  • Creates a standing program so the space agency can buy satellite images and data from private companies, mainly in the United States, and share them widely
  • Lets scientists publish these images and the work they build from them, so more people can learn from and use the data
  • Allows broader licenses so the data is not just for people with agency grants, opening access to more researchers, schools, and public users
  • Requires a yearly report naming the companies used, the license terms, and how the data helps track things like fires, storms, drought, and climate trends
  • Aims to save money and speed up research by using existing data, while boosting American satellite businesses
TechnologyEnvironmentClimate ChangeEducationSmall Business

Milestones

6 milestones10 actions
Dec 10, 2025House

Held at the desk.

Dec 10, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Dec 10, 2025House

Received in the House.

Dec 9, 2025Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581)

Dec 9, 2025

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

ASCEND Act

Bill NumberS 1437
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionHeld at the desk.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

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