Plain Language Summary
# ASCEND Act Summary **What It Does:** The ASCEND Act creates official legal authority for NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, which purchases satellite imagery and data from private companies to support Earth science research. The bill allows NASA to share this satellite data more broadly with other federal agencies and the public for scientific purposes, rather than keeping it limited to internal use. It also requires that any agreements NASA makes with satellite companies cannot prevent scientists from publishing the data or findings based on it. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects NASA and other federal agencies that conduct Earth science research, as well as the private satellite companies that sell data to NASA.
Scientists and the broader public also benefit by gaining better access to satellite imagery for research purposes. The legislation supports Earth observation work that can inform climate research, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is a bipartisan effort sponsored by Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO). It now awaits Senate consideration.
CRS Official Summary
Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND ActThis 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.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.