119 S4044 IS: Support for Astrophysical Observatories and National High-Energy Astrophysics Hubs Act of 2026 U.S. Senate 2026-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4044IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 10, 2026Mr. Markey (for himself and Ms. Warren) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to designate national high-energy astrophysics hubs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Support for Astrophysical Observatories and National High-Energy Astrophysics Hubs Act of 2026.

2.

Support for astrophysical observatories and national high-energy astrophysics hubs

(a)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—(1)the United States should maintain its global leadership in high-energy astrophysics;(2)in order to maintain such leadership, the United States should support X-ray flagship missions based on the recommendations of the most recent and future decadal Surveys in Astronomy and Astrophysics issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;(3)the workforce associated with high-energy astrophysics constitutes a national strategic asset that will be critical to the development and eventual operation of any such flagship mission; and(4)proactive steps should be taken to ensure that the capabilities of current high-energy astrophysics facilities continue to serve the scientific, educational, and commercial interests of the United States long beyond the duration of the current high-energy astrophysics flagship mission.(b)

Designation

(1)

In general

The Administrator shall designate as a national high-energy astrophysics hub each eligible facility described in paragraph (2).(2)

Eligible facility described

An eligible facility described in this paragraph is an entity that—(A)(i)is party to a contract with NASA; and(ii)plans and operates missions that conduct activities for purposes of—(I)ensuring continued United States leadership in high-energy astrophysics and related space sciences;(II)supporting training and workforce development in data-intensive high-energy astrophysics, aerospace engineering, and spacecraft operations;(III)advancing United States capabilities in high-performance scientific software, spaceflight operations, and technology transfer;(IV)enabling future high-energy astrophysics missions through mission design, planning, and scientific coordination; or(V)serving as a collaborative national resource for academic, governmental, and commercial partners; and(B)(i)is an institution of higher education;(ii)is an appropriate State or Federal entity, including a federally funded research and development center; or(iii)is a nongovernmental organization with expertise in advanced energy technology research, development, demonstration, or commercial application.