NASA would make its commercial satellite data program permanent
Passed one chamberH.R. 2600Latest action
Sponsor: Jeff Hurd · Representative · CO
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: ASCEND Act
119th Congress
Topics: AI & technology
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The ASCEND Act would turn NASA's pilot program for buying private satellite data into a permanent operation.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 2600, the ASCEND Act, directs NASA to establish a permanent program for purchasing and using satellite images and data from private companies, replacing a pilot program started in 2019. NASA must allow scientific publication of findings from this data, prioritize U.S.-based vendors when practical, and report annually to Congress on vendors, licensing terms, and research use.
Who does it affect?
NASA and commercial satellite/remote-sensing companies are directly affected, along with scientific researchers, universities, and federal agencies that use Earth-observation data for climate research, weather forecasting, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.
Why does it matter?
The change would make NASA's data-buying arrangement a permanent fixture rather than a temporary test, altering how the agency contracts with private vendors and shares resulting data long-term.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 2, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Feb 24, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.