Legis Daily

ASCEND Act

USA119th CongressS-1437| Senate 
| Updated: 12/10/2025
John W. Hickenlooper

John W. Hickenlooper

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The ASCEND Act requires the Administrator of NASA to establish a Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program within the Earth Science Division. The program will identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote‑sensing data and imagery to meet NASA’s scientific, operational, and educational needs and those of other federal agencies and researchers. It builds on the successful 2019 pilot program and emphasizes procurement from U.S. vendors whenever practicable. The Act allows the publication of commercial data and any derived products for scientific purposes. It also authorizes the Administrator to set or modify end‑use license terms that enable the widest possible use of the data by non‑NASA users. Within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, the Administrator must submit a report to the Senate and House committees that lists all vendors, describes license terms, and explains how the data advance research, including alignment with National Academies decadal surveys . The report must also indicate whether agreements exist that permit use by federal employees, contractors, or non‑federal users. The Act defines a United States vendor as any commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States. The program is designed to enhance scientific research, operational decision‑making, and educational outreach by making high‑quality Earth observation data more widely available. Congressional oversight through the reporting requirement ensures transparency and accountability for the program’s implementation.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2634
ASCEND Act
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 30, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 29, 2025
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.
Sep 29, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.
Dec 9, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581)
Dec 9, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 10, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Feb 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2600
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2634
    ASCEND Act


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 30, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • September 29, 2025
    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.


  • September 29, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.


  • December 9, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581)


  • December 9, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 10, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • February 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2600
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2600: ASCEND Act
Congressional oversightEarth sciencesPhotography and imagingSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and exploration

ASCEND Act

USA119th CongressS-1437| Senate 
| Updated: 12/10/2025
The ASCEND Act requires the Administrator of NASA to establish a Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program within the Earth Science Division. The program will identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote‑sensing data and imagery to meet NASA’s scientific, operational, and educational needs and those of other federal agencies and researchers. It builds on the successful 2019 pilot program and emphasizes procurement from U.S. vendors whenever practicable. The Act allows the publication of commercial data and any derived products for scientific purposes. It also authorizes the Administrator to set or modify end‑use license terms that enable the widest possible use of the data by non‑NASA users. Within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, the Administrator must submit a report to the Senate and House committees that lists all vendors, describes license terms, and explains how the data advance research, including alignment with National Academies decadal surveys . The report must also indicate whether agreements exist that permit use by federal employees, contractors, or non‑federal users. The Act defines a United States vendor as any commercial or nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States. The program is designed to enhance scientific research, operational decision‑making, and educational outreach by making high‑quality Earth observation data more widely available. Congressional oversight through the reporting requirement ensures transparency and accountability for the program’s implementation.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2634
ASCEND Act
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 30, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 29, 2025
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.
Sep 29, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.
Dec 9, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581)
Dec 9, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 10, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Feb 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2600
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2634
    ASCEND Act


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 30, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • September 29, 2025
    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.


  • September 29, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.


  • December 9, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8581; text: CR S8581)


  • December 9, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 10, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • February 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2600
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
John W. Hickenlooper

John W. Hickenlooper

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (1)
John Cornyn (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2600: ASCEND Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightEarth sciencesPhotography and imagingSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and exploration