NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025

Key Points

• Congress sets NASA’s 2025 recommended budget at $25,507,540,000, with major funding for exploration, science, and space operations.
• Directs NASA to keep the Artemis Moon program moving, including building the Space Launch System and Orion, and buying lunar landers and new spacesuits from U.S. companies.
• Pushes a gradual shift from the International Space Station to privately run space stations, and says NASA can’t de-orbit the station until a commercial replacement is ready (unless safety forces it).
• Expands NASA’s ability to buy Earth-imaging data from private U.S. companies and encourages clear rules so researchers can use and share that data.
• Creates new policies like a NASA-private sector employee exchange program, limits certain cooperation with China unless safety and security checks are met, and supports STEM education grants nationwide.

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