S. 1437 · Passed Senate · Science, Technology, Communications

ASCEND Act

Sponsor: John W. Hickenlooper (D-CO)

What it does

• Provide statutory authority for NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition program, which buys remote sensing data and imagery from commercial satellites for Earth science research.
• Allow NASA to establish or modify end-use agreements enabling federal agencies and other parties outside NASA to access and use satellite data acquired under the program.
• Prohibit data acquisition terms from restricting publication of satellite imagery or derived scientific information.
• Require NASA to preferentially acquire satellite data and imagery from U.S. vendors to the extent practicable.

Official summary

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.

Latest action

Dec 10, 2025: Held at the desk.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation