Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
S. 1437 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. (D-CO) (Introduced 04/10/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.30 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee |
| Latest Action | 12/10/2025 Held at the desk. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Passed Senate (12/09/2025)
Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Through the CSDA program, NASA acquires remote sensing data and imagery from commercial satellites to support its Earth science research. (Remote sensing generally refers to the collection of data by instruments in Earth’s orbit, such as satellites, that can be processed into imagery of Earth’s surface.)
Under the bill, NASA may establish or modify end-use agreements to allow for broad use of data and imagery acquired under the program, including by individuals outside of NASA (e.g., other federal agencies). The terms of any data or imagery acquisition may not prevent the publication of such data or imagery for scientific purposes or the publication of information derived from it. To the extent practicable, NASA must acquire such data and imagery from U.S. vendors.
119 S1437 ES: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. Senate 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. 119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1437IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN 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)After the completion of the Private-Sector Small Constellation Satellite Data Product Pilot launch in 2017, the Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, evaluate, 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 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 be known as the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program, to cost-effectively acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery in order to complement the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers.(b)Data publication and accessibilityThe 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 in academic or scientific articles, papers, or other similar publications for scientific purposes; or(2)the publication, in academic or scientific articles, papers, or other similar publications, of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor.(c)Authorization(1)In generalIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(A)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications for the purpose set forth in subsection (a); and(B)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.(2)Acquisition from United States vendorsThe commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery procured under this subsection shall be procured, to the maximum extent practicable, from United States vendors.(d)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:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all vendors 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 vendors 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 vendor 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.(e)Definition of United States vendorIn this section, the term United States vendor means a commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States..(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 Senate December 9, 2025.Secretary
119 S1437 IS: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. Senate 2025-04-10 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. II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1437IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 10, 2025Mr. Hickenlooper (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA 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 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 commercial Earth observation 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.(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)Authorization(1)In generalIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(A)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications for the purpose set forth in subsection (a); and(B)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.(2)Acquisition from United States vendorsThe commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery procured under this subsection shall be procured, to the maximum extent practicable, from United States vendors.(d)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:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all vendors 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 vendors 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 vendor 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.(e)Definition of United States vendorIn this section, the term United States vendor means a commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States..(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..
119 S1437 RS: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act U.S. Senate 2025-09-29 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. 173119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1437[Report No. 119–68]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 10, 2025Mr. Hickenlooper (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationSeptember 29, 2025Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA 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 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 commercial Earth observation 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.(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)Authorization(1)In generalIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(A)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications for the purpose set forth in subsection (a); and(B)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.(2)Acquisition from United States vendorsThe commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery procured under this subsection shall be procured, to the maximum extent practicable, from United States vendors.(d)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:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all vendors 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 vendors 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 vendor 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.(e)Definition of United States vendorIn this section, the term United States vendor means a commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States..(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..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)After the completion of the Private-Sector Small Constellation Satellite Data Product Pilot launch in 2017, the Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify, evaluate, 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 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 be known as the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program, to cost-effectively acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery in order to complement the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers.(b)Data publication and accessibilityThe 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 in academic or scientific articles, papers, or other similar publications for scientific purposes; or(2)the publication, in academic or scientific articles, papers, or other similar publications, of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor.(c)Authorization(1)In generalIn carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—(A)procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications for the purpose set forth in subsection (a); and(B)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.(2)Acquisition from United States vendorsThe commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery procured under this subsection shall be procured, to the maximum extent practicable, from United States vendors.(d)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:(1)(A)In the case of the initial report, a list of all vendors 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 vendors 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 vendor 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.(e)Definition of United States vendorIn this section, the term United States vendor means a commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States..(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..September 29, 2025Reported with an amendment
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 04/10/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in Senate |
| 04/10/2025 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| 04/30/2025 | Senate | Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. |
| 09/29/2025 | Library of Congress | Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-68. |
| 09/29/2025 | Senate | Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-68. |
| 09/29/2025 | Senate | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173. |
| 12/09/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. |
| 12/09/2025 | Senate | Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581) |
| 12/10/2025 | House floor actions | Received in the House. |
| 12/10/2025 | Senate | Message on Senate action sent to the House. |
| 12/10/2025 | House floor actions | Held at the desk. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | ASCEND Act |
| Short Title(s) as Passed Senate | ASCEND Act |
| Short Title(s) as Passed Senate | Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to Senate | ASCEND Act |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to Senate | Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | ASCEND Act |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act |
| Official Title as Introduced | 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. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 09/29/2025 Reported By |
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 04/30/2025 Markup By |
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 04/10/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for S. 1437.
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.