ASCEND Act
Introduced Apr 2, 2025 by Rep. Jeff Hurd
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Feb 24, 2026Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 344.
- Feb 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Feb 23, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2242-2243)
- Feb 23, 2026Passed/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, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2600.
- Feb 23, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2242-2244)
- Feb 23, 2026Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Feb 20, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 428.
- Feb 20, 2026Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-502.
- Apr 29, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- Apr 29, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Apr 2, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Apr 2, 2025Introduced in House