S. 1437: Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act

The Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act (ASCEND Act) aims to support scientific and educational initiatives by enabling the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to acquire and utilize commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery more effectively. Here are the main components of the bill:

Establishment of a Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program

The bill requires NASA to create a program dedicated to:

• Identifying, evaluating, and acquiring commercial Earth observation data and imagery.
• Disseminating this data to meet the scientific, operational, and educational needs of NASA and other federal agencies.

Goals and Findings

The legislation emphasizes several key findings:

• NASA's goal is to enhance the understanding of Earth and its systems.
• NASA already has a pilot program that has shown success in acquiring commercial data, supporting its expansion.
• The increased use of commercial vendors can improve access to valuable Earth remote sensing data.

Data Publication and Transparency

Under the new program, NASA must ensure transparency regarding the acquired data:

• NASA will allow publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes.
• Information derived from or enhancing the original commercial data can also be published.

Procurement and Vendor Engagement

The Administrator of NASA will have the authority to:

• Procure data from commercial vendors to advance scientific research.
• Establish or modify licensing terms to maximize the use of the acquired data beyond just NASA-funded researchers.
• Prioritize procurement from U.S.-based vendors whenever feasible.

Reporting Requirements

The bill outlines specific reporting obligations, requiring the Administrator to:

• Submit an initial report within 180 days of the Act's enactment, listing all vendors providing data to NASA.
• Provide subsequent annual reports detailing vendor engagement and the use of procured data to enhance scientific research.

Definition of United States Vendor

The bill defines a "United States vendor" as any commercial or nonprofit organization that is incorporated in the United States.

Clerical Amendments

The bill includes amendments to existing laws to incorporate the new provisions related to the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.

Relevant Companies

• MAXAR Technologies (MAXR): As a company providing Earth observation data and imagery, MAXR could benefit from increased demand for its services under this federal program.
• NOAA Satellite and Information Service (NSIS): Though not a commercial entity, partnerships with private sector vendors might enhance their operational capabilities.
• Planet Labs PBC (PL): This company specializes in satellite imagery and could see an increase in engagements as NASA expands its use of commercial data.