Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2600, the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act, the ASCEND Act. This bill builds on a model that already works. In 2017, NASA launched the Commercial Small Satellite Data Acquisition Pilot Program to test whether commercially available Earth observation data could support NASA's scientific missions. The results were clear: Participating scientists found the data reliable, valuable, and highly effective across a broad range of research applications.
H.R. 2600: ASCEND Act
Introduced Apr 2, 20256 cosponsors
Sponsor
Jeff Hurd
Republican · CO-3
Bill Progress
IntroducedApr 2
Committee
Pass HouseFeb 23
Pass Senate
Signed
Law
Latest Action · Feb 24, 2026
1/3
Passed the House, received in Senate
Congress wants NASA to buy private satellite data
2 min readLast updated February 27, 2026
Why it matters
Commercial satellite imagery could supercharge climate research and disaster response—right now.
The ASCEND Act would require NASA to tap into the fast-growing world of commercial satellites, buying up Earth observation data and imagery to advance science, operations, and education. Instead of building every satellite from scratch, NASA would leverage existing fleets to fill data gaps faster, save money, and speed up crucial environmental monitoring.
The bill highlights NASA's role in studying our planet, calling out federal law that already encourages buying commercial data where it makes sense. By creating a formal program, Congress is laying out clearer marching orders for NASA: look to the private sector first and only launch new satellites when truly necessary.
This would open up new revenue streams for satellite startups while making cutting-edge data available to everyone from climate scientists to students. But with new data come questions—about privacy, national security, and making sure information reaches those who need it most.
The bill is silent on funding specifics, leaving NASA and appropriators to sort out costs later.
What does H.R. 2600 do?
1
NASA must buy commercial satellite imagery
Requires NASA to identify, evaluate, purchase, and use data from private Earth observation satellites.
2
Focus on science, operations, and education
Ensures that acquired data supports NASA’s research, daily missions, and educational programs.
3
Preference for cost-effective solutions
Pushes NASA to use commercial data if it meets agency needs and saves money.
4
Collaboration with other federal agencies
Encourages NASA to work with agencies and researchers who might also benefit from commercial data.
5
Program establishment and oversight
Directs NASA to formally set up and manage a satellite data acquisition program.
Who benefits from H.R. 2600?
NASA scientists
Get faster, broader access to imagery for climate and Earth studies.
Private satellite companies
Win new government customers and revenue for their data products.
Students and educators
Gain access to professional-grade Earth imagery for classroom projects and learning.
Disaster response teams
Could use fresher, more detailed data for handling natural disasters and emergencies.
Who is affected by H.R. 2600?
NASA procurement teams
Must set up new ways to buy and share satellite data from the private market.
Federal science agencies
Might get easier, cheaper access to Earth observation data through NASA.
Privacy advocates
Will watch closely how increased satellite monitoring is managed and shared.
Satellite hardware contractors
Could face less government demand for building new NASA-owned satellites.
On the Record
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 2600 has come up 11 times in the Congressional Record so far.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2600, the ASCEND Act, sponsored by Representatives Hurd and Bonamici. Commercial remote sensing is an increasingly important part of the growing space economy. In recent years, technological advancements and lower launch costs have enabled American companies to expand their remote sensing capabilities and to deliver innovative, high-quality satellite data at competitive prices. Recognizing this potential, NASA established a pilot program in 2017 to assess how the agency could leverage commercial satellite data to support mission objectives.
H.R. 2600 also appeared in 4 routine cosponsor filings.
HR2600 Legislative Journey
Sent to Senate
Feb 24, 2026
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
House: Vote: 2242-2243
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: Committee Action
Feb 20, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-502.
House: Vote Held
Apr 29, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Apr 2, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
About the Sponsor
Jeff Hurd
Republican, Colorado's 3rd congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Science, Space, and Technology, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure
View full profile →
Cosponsors (6)
No new cosponsors in 280 days — momentum stalled
This bill has 6 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 5 states: Colorado, New Jersey, New York, and 2 more.
4Democrats2Republicans·5 statesBipartisan
Committee Sponsors
Science, Space, and Technology Committee
17D20R
|4 signed33 not yet4 of 37 committee members cosponsored
20 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 2600 Quick Facts
Cosponsors
6
- Committee
- Science, Space, and Technology
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Introduced
- Apr 2, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Feb 24, 2026
Official Sources
H.R. 2600 on Congress.gov
Official bill text, cosponsors, and legislative history for the ASCEND Act
NASA CSDA Program
The Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition program this bill codifies into permanent law
NASA Earth Science Division
The division within NASA's Science Mission Directorate where this program is housed
CBO Cost Estimate for H.R. 2600
Congressional Budget Office estimate projecting less than $500,000 in costs over 2025-2030
NASA Satellite Data Explorer
The public data portal where researchers can search and access commercial satellite data acquired through CSDA
National Academies Earth Science Decadal Survey
The decadal survey priorities referenced in the bill's reporting requirements for advancing scientific research
51 USC § 60501 — NASA Earth Science Program Goal
The existing federal statute establishing NASA's Earth observation mission that this bill builds on
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
The committee that reported the bill and receives annual reports under its oversight provisions
H.R. 2600 Common Questions
How soon would NASA have to report on commercial satellite data purchases under the ASCEND Act?
NASA would have to submit its first report within 180 days of enactment, then file annual reports after that, according to H.R. 2600 Section 2(b).
Can NASA publish commercial satellite imagery for scientific research under the ASCEND Act?
Yes. Under the ASCEND Act (Section 2(b)), acquisition terms cannot block publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes.
Can researchers publish findings derived from commercial satellite data bought by NASA?
Yes. Under the ASCEND Act (Section 2(b)), contract terms cannot prevent publication of information derived from, incorporating, or enhancing the original commercial data.
Does the ASCEND Act require NASA to buy satellite data from US companies?
It directs NASA to procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from United States vendors to the maximum extent practicable under Section 2(b) of H.R. 2600.
Which NASA office would run the ASCEND Act commercial satellite data program?
The program would be established within NASA's Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate under the ASCEND Act (Section 2(b)).
Can NASA expand commercial satellite data licenses beyond NASA-funded users?
Yes. According to H.R. 2600 Section 2(b), NASA may set or modify end-use license terms to allow the widest-possible use by people beyond NASA-funded users.
Does the ASCEND Act let other federal agencies use NASA's commercial satellite data program?
Yes. Under the ASCEND Act (Section 2(b)), the program is meant to meet scientific, operational, and educational needs of NASA, other federal agencies, and researchers.
What are NASA's reporting requirements for commercial satellite data agreements under HR 2600?
H.R. 2600 Section 2(b) requires reports listing agreements, license terms, how they advance research, and whether federal employees, contractors, or non-federal users can use the data.
Can non-federal users get access to commercial satellite data acquired by NASA under the ASCEND Act?
Potentially yes. Under the ASCEND Act (Section 2(b)), NASA may broaden license terms for widest-possible use, and reports must specify whether non-federal users are allowed.
Does the ASCEND Act say NASA should use commercial satellite data to supplement government and international observations?
Yes. Section 2(b) of the ASCEND Act says the program should augment and complement Earth observations from NASA, other U.S. agencies, and international partners.
Based on H.R. 2600 bill text
H.R. 2600 Bill Text
“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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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