ASCEND Act

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.