S. 1437 — ASCEND Act

This section establishes the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program within NASA's Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate to cost-effectively acquire and disseminate commercial Earth observation data and imagery, complementing NASA's scientific, operational, and educational requirements and, where appropriate, those of other federal agencies and researchers. (As background, this formalizes and expands NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program, deemed successful in a 2020 evaluation, and aligns with existing authority under 51 U.S.C. 50115 to acquire cost-effective commercial remote sensing data while satisfying scientific and educational needs.) The program requires procurement from U.S. vendors to the maximum extent practicable; ensures acquisition terms allow publication of data or derived information in scientific works; authorizes NASA to procure data for research and modify end-use licenses for broad access beyond NASA-funded users; and requires an initial report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology within 180 days of enactment, with annual reports thereafter, describing vendors, license terms, research advancements (including National Academies decadal survey priorities), and data use agreements.