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H.R. 2600119th CongressINTRODUCEDBIPARTISAN

ASCEND Act

Introduced Apr 2, 2025Jeff Hurd (R-CO)6 cosponsorsSource

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.  

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Bill text versions

Legislative Journey

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Floor
  4. Passed Chamber 1
  5. Passed Chamber 2
  6. Signed
Feb 24, 2026

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

Senate
Feb 23, 2026

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

House
Feb 23, 2026

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2242-2243)

House
Feb 23, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2242-2243)

Feb 23, 2026

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2600.

House
Feb 23, 2026

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

House
Feb 23, 2026

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

House
Feb 20, 2026

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 428.

House
Feb 20, 2026

Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-502.

House
Feb 20, 2026

Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-502.

Apr 29, 2025

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

House
Apr 29, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

House
Apr 2, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

House
Apr 2, 2025

Introduced in House

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced in House