ASCEND Act

119 HR 2600 EH: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 2600

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act.

2.Commercial satellite data (a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings: (1)Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this section as NASA) shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. (2)Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution, and applications from a commercial provider. (3)The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support the Earth science research and application goals. (4)The Administrator of NASA has— (A)determined that the pilot program described in paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the final evaluation entitled Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report issued in 2020; (B)established a formal process for evaluating and onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot program; (C)increased the number of commercial vendors and commercial data products available through such pilot program; and (D)expanded procurement arrangements with commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to federally funded researchers. (b)Commercial satellite data acquisition program (1)In generalChapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 60307.Commercial satellite data acquisition program (a)In generalThe Administrator shall establish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and international partners. (b)Data publication and transparencyThe terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent— (1)the publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes; or (2)the publication of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor. (c)AuthorizationIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may— (1)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and (2)establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the program. (d)United states vendorsCommercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors. (e)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section: (1) (A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report. (B)For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the reporting period. (2)A description of the end-use license terms and conditions for each such vendor. (3)A description of the manner in which each such agreement is advancing scientific research and applications, including priorities recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys. (4)Information specifying whether the Administrator has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users.. (2)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition program.. Passed the House of Representatives February 23, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

119 HR 2600 IH: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-04-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 2600

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 2, 2025 Mr. Hurd of Colorado (for himself and Ms. Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL To require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act.

2.Commercial satellite data (a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings: (1)Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this section as NASA) shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. (2)Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution, and applications from a commercial provider. (3)The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support the Earth science research and application goals. (4)The Administrator of NASA has— (A)determined that the pilot program described in paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the final evaluation entitled Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report issued in 2020; (B)established a formal process for evaluating and onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot program; (C)increased the number of commercial vendors and commercial data products available through such pilot program; and (D)expanded procurement arrangements with commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to federally funded researchers. (b)Commercial satellite data acquisition program (1)In generalChapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 60307.Commercial satellite data acquisition program (a)In generalThe Administrator shall establish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and international partners. (b)Data publication and transparencyThe terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent— (1)the publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes; or (2)the publication of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor. (c)AuthorizationIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may— (1)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and (2)establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the program. (d)United states vendorsCommercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors. (c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section: (1) (A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report. (B)For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the reporting period. (2)A description of the end-use license terms and conditions for each such vendor. (3)A description of the manner in which each such agreement is advancing scientific research and applications, including priorities recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys. (4)Information specifying whether the Administrator has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users.. (d)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program..

119 HR 2600 PCS: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IICalendar No. 344119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2600IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 24, 2026Received; read twice and placed on the calendarAN ACTTo require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act.2.Commercial satellite data(a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:(1)Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this section as NASA) shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future.(2)Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution, and applications from a commercial provider.(3)The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support the Earth science research and application goals.(4)The Administrator of NASA has—(A)determined that the pilot program described in paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the final evaluation entitled Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report issued in 2020;(B)established a formal process for evaluating and onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot program;(C)increased the number of commercial vendors and commercial data products available through such pilot program; and(D)expanded procurement arrangements with commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to federally funded researchers.(b)Commercial satellite data acquisition program(1)In generalChapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:60307.Commercial satellite data acquisition program(a)In generalThe Administrator shall establish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and international partners.(b)Data publication and transparencyThe terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent—(1)the publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes; or(2)the publication of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor.(c)AuthorizationIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(1)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and(2)establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the program.(d)United states vendorsCommercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors.(e)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report.(B)For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the reporting period.(2)A description of the end-use license terms and conditions for each such vendor.(3)A description of the manner in which each such agreement is advancing scientific research and applications, including priorities recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.(4)Information specifying whether the Administrator has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users..(2)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition program..Passed the House of Representatives February 23, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.February 24, 2026Received; read twice and placed on the calendar

119 HR 2600 RH: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 428119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2600[Report No. 119–502]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 2, 2025Mr. Hurd of Colorado (for himself and Ms. Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyFebruary 20, 2026Additional sponsors: Mr. Subramanyam, Mr. Crank, Ms. Gillen, Mr. Riley of New York, and Mr. KeanFebruary 20, 2026Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedA BILLTo require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act.2.Commercial satellite data(a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:(1)Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this section as NASA) shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future.(2)Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution, and applications from a commercial provider.(3)The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support the Earth science research and application goals.(4)The Administrator of NASA has—(A)determined that the pilot program described in paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the final evaluation entitled Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report issued in 2020;(B)established a formal process for evaluating and onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot program;(C)increased the number of commercial vendors and commercial data products available through such pilot program; and(D)expanded procurement arrangements with commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to federally funded researchers.(b)Commercial satellite data acquisition program(1)In generalChapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:60307.Commercial satellite data acquisition program(a)In generalThe Administrator shall establish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and international partners.(b)Data publication and transparencyThe terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent—(1)the publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes; or(2)the publication of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor.(c)AuthorizationIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(1)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and(2)establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the program.(d)United states vendorsCommercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors.(c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report.(B)For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the reporting period.(2)A description of the end-use license terms and conditions for each such vendor.(3)A description of the manner in which each such agreement is advancing scientific research and applications, including priorities recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.(4)Information specifying whether the Administrator has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users..(d)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program..February 20, 2026Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed