NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

10/11/2024, 2:26 PM

NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating to space exploration, research, and technology.

For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). NASA must report on certain details of these partnerships, including the respective amounts of government and private sector contributions.

The bill also provides for private sector involvement with the International Space Station (ISS), including authorizing private sector missions to the ISS to advance commercial spaceflight and requiring NASA to partner with the private sector to support the eventual deorbiting of the ISS.

In addition, NASA must continue to support improvements to space technology, including lunar communications. NASA must also evaluate and conduct research programs relating to experimental aircrafts, hypersonic research, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones).

The bill also establishes certain requirements relating to earth science and monitoring, including requiring NASA to evaluate greenhouse gas detection capabilities and to distribute relevant earth science data to the agricultural industry. It also provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program, which supports NASA's earth science research.

Finally, the bill requires several reports and evaluations of NASA programs and policies, including an external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a report on NASA's early cost estimates for missions.

Congress
118

Number
HR - 8958

Introduced on
2024-07-09

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/24/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating to space exploration, research, and technology.

For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). NASA must report on certain details of these partnerships, including the respective amounts of government and private sector contributions.

The bill also provides for private sector involvement with the International Space Station (ISS), including authorizing private sector missions to the ISS to advance commercial spaceflight and requiring NASA to partner with the private sector to support the eventual deorbiting of the ISS.

In addition, NASA must continue to support improvements to space technology, including lunar communications. NASA must also evaluate and conduct research programs relating to experimental aircrafts, hypersonic research, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones).

The bill also establishes certain requirements relating to earth science and monitoring, including requiring NASA to evaluate greenhouse gas detection capabilities and to distribute relevant earth science data to the agricultural industry. It also provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program, which supports NASA's earth science research.

Finally, the bill requires several reports and evaluations of NASA programs and policies, including an external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a report on NASA's early cost estimates for missions.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact
Advanced technology and technological innovations•
Advisory bodies•
Agricultural research•
Air quality•
Appropriations•
Atmospheric science and weather•
Aviation and airports•
Climate change and greenhouse gases•
Computers and information technology•
Congressional oversight•
Education programs funding•
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research•
Environmental technology•
Geography and mapping•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Higher education•
International organizations and cooperation•
National Aeronautics and Space Administration•
Public contracts and procurement•
Public-private cooperation•
Research and development•
Science and engineering education•
Space flight and exploration•
Spacecraft and satellites•
Technology assessment•
Telephone and wireless communication•
Water quality•
Water use and supply

Comments

APPROVED
SB
Shiloh Barton
@fines_herbes_kokum_casalinga85566
Excited for this new bill!

Recent Activity

Latest Summary9/30/2024

NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating t...


Latest Action9/24/2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.