HR 2600 · Passed House · 02-24-26
ASCEND Act
What does the ASCEND Act do?
HR 2600 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO). Makes permanent a NASA program that buys commercial satellite imagery and Earth data for scientific research, building on a pilot the agency started in 2019. Establishes a permanent NASA program to acquire and share commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery.
Did HR 2600 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 2600 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on February 23, 2026
Outlook: Possible
Key provisions
- NASA Commercial Satellite Data
- Permanent NASA program to buy commercial Earth imagery and data
- Codifies the 2019 Commercial SmallSat pilot
- Prioritizes U.S. vendors
- Transparency
- Protects publication of data for scientific purposes
- Annual report to Congress on vendors and license terms
Last updated June 15, 2026