Dark and Quiet Skies Act of 2025

The Dark and Quiet Skies Act of 2025 aims to enhance collaboration between federal agencies and the private sector to safeguard federally funded scientific research observing the sky and celestial bodies. Its primary goal is to foster the research, development, and voluntary deployment of mitigation techniques to address optical and radio interference with astronomical observations. The bill mandates the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Dark and Quiet Skies , to be awarded via a competitive grant by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. This Center will focus on developing and disseminating best practices to limit optical and radio interference, working closely with the satellite industry and the astronomical community. Key objectives include conducting transdisciplinary research to track, identify, model, and minimize potential interference, as well as publishing these findings. The Center's activities will also involve identifying facilities for interference mitigation testing and assessing methods astronomers can employ to avoid interference. The Under Secretary is required to consult with numerous federal agencies, such as NASA, NOAA, and the FCC, along with private entities, when establishing the Center and its objectives. Grant selection will consider the applicant's plan for financial sustainability and engagement with small businesses. Authorized for a five-year period, subject to appropriations, the Center's activities must be coordinated to avoid duplication with other federal research efforts. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $20,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and annual reports on its effectiveness and future benchmarks will be submitted to Congress.