H.R.2600

ASCEND Act Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act

Chamber Passed·2/24/26

Establishes a program for NASA to acquire and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery.

The ASCEND Act requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery. This program aims to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of NASA and other federal agencies. The bill mandates that NASA procure this data from U.S. vendors to the maximum extent practicable. It also requires NASA to submit annual reports detailing agreements with vendors, license terms, and uses of the data.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Last
Passed the House · Feb 24
Current
The Senate
Next
Senate floor vote

Sponsors

Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Feb 24

Senate

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.

Feb 23

House

Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Feb 23

House

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2242-2244)