[Senate Report 119-68]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 173
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-68
_______________________________________________________________________
ACCESSING SATELLITE CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE NEW DISCOVERIES ACT
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND
TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 1437
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
September 29, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
59-010 WASHINGTON : 2025
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred nineteenth congress
first session
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
TED BUDD, North Carolina JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
JOHN CURTIS, Utah JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
TIM SHEEHY, Montana ANDY KIM, New Jersey
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, Wyoming
Brad Grantz, Majority Staff Director
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Staff Director
Calendar No. 173
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-68
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ACCESSING SATELLITE CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE NEW DISCOVERIES ACT
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September 29, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1437]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 1437) to require the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate,
acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data
and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational,
and educational requirements of the Administration, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably
thereon with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and
recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 1437 is to require the Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to
establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and
disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in
order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational
requirements of the agency, and where appropriate, of other
Federal agencies and scientific researchers.
Background and Needs
The Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program
was established as a pilot program in 2017 by NASA's Earth
Science Division (ESD) to identify, evaluate, and acquire
images and data from commercial small satellites (SmallSat) to
support NASA's Earth science research and application goals.\1\
The pilot program awarded contracts to three companies to
collect satellite imagery to observe changes in the Earth's
forests, farmland, oceans, and atmosphere and to provide that
information to researchers and other government agencies. This
bill makes the pilot program permanent. The purchase of
commercial satellite imagery not only supplements and
complements data collected by NASA's in-house satellites, but
it provides a consistent customer for the emerging commercial
space industry and ensures customers have readily available
data for use.
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\1\``Private-Sector Small Constellation Satellite Data Product
Pilot Evaluation,'' NASA, https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/about/csda/
private-sector-small-constellation-satellite-data-product-pilot-
evaluation.
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NASA's ESD will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date
knowledge of the commercial SmallSat industry so the agency may
be a ``smart buyer'' of commercial data. To facilitate standard
scientific collaborations, NASA will seek end-user license
terms and conditions to enable broad levels of dissemination
and shareability of the commercial data with U.S. Government
agencies and partners. NASA may also maintain an archive of the
data acquired from the commercial vendors for future use.
Summary of Provision
S. 1437 would amend chapter 603 of title 51, United States
Code by adding section 60307, Commercial Satellite Data
Acquisition Program, to authorize NASA to acquire cost-
effective, space-based commercial Earth remote sensing data,
services, distribution, and applications from commercial
providers to complement the scientific, operational, and
educational requirements of the Administration, and where
appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific
researchers.
Legislative History
S. 1437 was introduced on April 10, 2025, by Senator
Hickenlooper (for himself and Senator Cornyn) and was referred
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate. On April 30, 2025, the Committee met in open
Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 1437 reported
favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute).
Similar legislative text that also amends chapter 603 of
title 51 of the United States Code is included in S. 933, NASA
Transition Authorization Act of 2025. S. 933 was introduced on
March 11, 2025, by Senator Cruz (for himself and Senators
Cantwell, Moran, Peters, Schmitt, Lujan, and Duckworth) and was
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
H.R. 2600, a House companion bill to S. 1437, was
introduced on April 2, 2025, by Representative Hurd (for
himself and Representative Bonamici) and was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives. On April 29, 2025, that Committee met in open
Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered H.R. 2600 to be
reported favorably. Representatives Subramanyam, Crank, and
Gillen are additional cosponsors.
118th Congress
S. 2634, the ASCEND Act, was introduced on July 27, 2023,
by Senator Hickenlooper (for himself and Senator Cornyn) and
was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
Similar legislative text that also amends chapter 603 of
title 51, United States Code, was included in S. 5600, NASA
Transition Authorization Act of 2024. S. 5600 was introduced on
December 18, 2024, by Senator Cantwell (for herself and
Senators Cruz, Sinema, Schmitt, Lujan, and Wicker) and was
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
H.R. 6219, a House companion bill to S. 2634, was
introduced on November 3, 2023, by Representative Kean (for
himself and Representative Bonamici) and was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives. Representative Fitzpatrick was an additional
cosponsor. On March 20, 2024, that Committee met in open
Executive Session and, by a roll call vote of 37-0, ordered
H.R. 6219 reported favorably with an amendment. On September
23, 2024, the House passed H.R. 6219 by voice vote.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Summary of legislation: On April 30, 2025, the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ordered 17
bills to be reported. This document provides estimates for 3 of
those bills, specified below:
S. 606 would allow the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) to enter into an agreement to
reimburse the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia, for relocating
wells for drinking water from NASA-administered property to the
town.
S. 1081 would expand NASA's requirements for
reporting to the Congress.
S. 1437 would require NASA to establish a program
to collect and disseminate remote-sensing data and to report to
the Congress on that program.
Estimated Federal cost: The costs of the legislation fall
within budget function 250 (general science, space, and
technology).
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that each
bill will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2025 and that
the estimated amounts will be available each year. This cost
estimate does not include any effects of interactions among the
bills. If all three bills were combined and enacted as a single
piece of legislation, the effects could be different from the
sum of the separate estimates, although CBO expects that any
differences would be small.
S. 606, the Contaminated Wells Relocation Act, would
authorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to
enter into an agreement with the Town of Chincoteague,
Virginia, to reimburse the costs of removing and relocating
three wells for drinking water that are currently located on
property administered by NASA. The bill would require NASA to
submit the agreement to the Congress within 18 months of
enactment. Using information from the agency on the historical
cost for similar activities and adjusting for inflation, CBO
estimates that the agreement would cost $18 million over the
2025-2030 period. Any related spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
S. 1081, the Comprehensive NASA Reporting Act of 2025,
would require the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
to provide the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology with copies of any final reports or notifications
that it submits to any other Congressional committee or office
within 10 days of the original submission. The bill also would
require NASA to provide to the Congress a copy of any
international agreement involving outer space activities within
15 days of the United States becoming a signatory to that
agreement. Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO
estimates that implementing the bill's reporting requirements
would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Any
related spending would be subject to the availability of
appropriated funds.
S. 1437, the ASCEND Act, would codify the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's Commercial SmallSat Data
Acquisition pilot program, which identifies commercial sources
for acquiring remote-sensing data and imagery of the Earth.
Data collected would be disseminated internally, to other
federal agencies, and to researchers. The bill would require
NASA to report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment and
annually thereafter on all agreements established under the
program. Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates
that implementing the bill's reporting requirements would cost
less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Any related
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated
funds.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or
revenues. None of the bills would affect direct spending or
revenues; thus, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting S. 606, S. 1081, and S. 1437 would not
increase net direct spending or deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.
Mandates: None of the bills contain intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Willow Latham-Proenca;
Mandates: Brandon Lever.
Estimate reviewed by: Ann E. Futrell, Chief, Natural and
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; Kathleen FitzGerald,
Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Estimate approved by: Phillip L. Swagel, Director,
Congressional Budget Office.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
Number of Persons Covered
S. 1437 would authorize NASA to acquire cost-effective,
space-based Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution,
and applications from commercial providers for scientific and
research purposes consistent with the priorities of the agency,
and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific
researchers. Data gathered and disseminated by NASA and through
commercial partners within this legislation may be accessible
globally.
Economic Impact
S. 1437 is not expected to have an adverse impact on the
Nation's economy. By codifying the program with commercial
satellite producers, it may support continued growth within the
sector. The data used may provide economic benefits for the
Nation, for example, in the agrarian sector.
Privacy
S. 1437 would not impact the personal privacy of
individuals.
Paperwork
The legislation would not increase paperwork requirements
for private individuals or businesses. The bill would require
the Administrator of NASA to submit an annual report no later
than 180 days after enactment listing all commercial vendors
providing Earth remote sensing data and imagery, a description
of the end-use license terms and conditions for each vendor, a
description of the manner in which each vendor is advancing
scientific research, and information regarding agreements the
Administrator has entered with a commercial vendor or Federal
agency.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New
Discoveries Act'' or the ``ASCEND Act''.
Section 2. Commercial satellite data
Subsection (a) would state that Congress finds that NASA's
Earth Science program aims to enhance understanding of Earth
and human impacts through research and observations, and that
NASA has successfully implemented a pilot program to acquire
valuable Earth remote sensing data from commercial small
satellite providers, expanding access and commercial
participation.
Subsection (b) would direct the Administrator of NASA to
establish a permanent NASA Commercial Satellite Data
Acquisition Program to buy and share cost-effective commercial
Earth observation data. The program would prioritize making the
data or derived information publicly accessible for scientific
purposes, encourage procurement from U.S. vendors when
possible, and allow flexible licensing to broaden data use.
NASA would be required to send annual reports to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives detailing vendors, licensing terms, and how the
data supports scientific research and is shared with other
government agencies.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
TITLE 51--NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
Subtitle VI--Earth Observations
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 603--REMOTE SENSING
* * * * * * *
Sec. 60306. EDUCATION
The Administrator shall establish an educational outreach
program to increase awareness at institutions of higher
education and State, local, regional, and tribal agencies of
the potential applications of remote sensing and other
geospatial information and awareness of the need for geospatial
workforce development.
Sec. 60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish within
the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a
program, to be known as the ``Commercial Satellite Data
Acquisition Program'', to cost-effectively acquire and
disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery in
order to complement the scientific, operational, and
educational requirements of the Administration, and where
appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific
researchers.
(b) Data Publication and Accessibility.--The terms and
conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery
acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a)
shall not prevent--
(1) the publication of commercial data or imagery in
academic or scientific articles, papers, or other
similar publications for scientific purposes; or
(2) the publication, in academic or scientific
articles, papers, or other similar publications, of
information that is derived from, incorporates, or
enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a
vendor.
(c) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
this section, the Administrator may--
(A) procure commercial Earth remote sensing
data and imagery from commercial vendors to
advance scientific research and applications
for the purpose set forth in subsection (a);
and
(B) establish or modify end-use license terms
and conditions to allow for the widest possible
use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing
data and imagery by individuals other than
NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of
the program.
(2) Acquisition from united states vendors.--The
commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery
procured under this subsection shall be procured, to
the maximum extent practicable, from United States
vendors.
(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
a report that includes the following:
(1)(A) In the case of the initial report, a list of
all vendors that are providing commercial Earth remote
sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the
report.
(B) For each subsequent report, a list of all vendors
that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data
and imagery to NASA during the reporting period.
(2) A description of the end-use license terms and
conditions for each such vendor.
(3) A description of the manner in which each such
vendor is advancing scientific research and
applications, including priorities recommended by the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine decadal surveys.
(4) Information specifying whether the Administrator
has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor
or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and
imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors,
or non-Federal users.
(e) Definition of United States Vendor.--In this section,
the term ``United States vendor'' means a commercial or
nonprofit entity incorporated in the United States.
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