NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026
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The bill would reauthorize NASA for fiscal year 2026 at roughly $24.4 billion, directing the agency to continue Artemis lunar and Mars exploration, acquire commercial capabilities to deorbit the International Space Station, and maintain a balanced science and aeronautics research portfolio.
It would also restrict NASA, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Space Council from bilateral cooperation with China absent new authorizing legislation, reflecting continued congressional emphasis on U.S. leadership in space amid growing international competition.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would authorize about $24.4 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2026, allocated across exploration, space operations, science, aeronautics, space technology, education, and other accounts. It would direct NASA to continue Artemis lunar missions and Moon-to-Mars exploration, reaffirm the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle, and require NASA to obtain human-rated lunar landing and advanced spacesuit capabilities from U.S. commercial providers. It would give NASA statutory authority to acquire International Space Station deorbit capabilities from commercial companies while directing NASA to avoid reducing station activities in the process, and would require dozens of reports to Congress on topics from low-Earth-orbit strategy to Mars Sample Return, planetary defense, and hypersonics research. The bill would also amend several existing NASA-related statutes, create a commercial satellite data acquisition program, restructure aspects of the National Space Grant College program, and bar NASA, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Space Council from bilateral activities with China absent new legislative authorization. It does not restructure NASA's overall organization or extend authorizations beyond FY2026.
Key provisions
- 1Would authorize $24,438,336,000 for NASA in fiscal year 2026, broken out across exploration, science, operations, aeronautics, and other accounts
- 2Would direct NASA to continue Artemis lunar missions, reaffirm the Space Launch System, and obtain human-rated lunar landing and spacesuit capabilities from U.S. commercial providers
- 3Would authorize NASA to acquire International Space Station deorbit capabilities from U.S. commercial providers while limiting reductions to other ISS activities
- 4Would require NASA to submit a strategy for research and operations in low-Earth orbit and assess risks of losing access after ISS retirement
- 5Would establish a commercial satellite data acquisition program within NASA's Earth Science Division to purchase commercial Earth remote sensing data
- 6Would direct continued hypersonics, unmanned aircraft, and advanced air mobility research and require a civil aeronautics decadal survey
- 7Would prohibit NASA, OSTP, and the National Space Council from bilateral cooperation with the People's Republic of China absent new authorizing legislation
Who would be affected
NASA and its workforce, U.S. commercial space companies (including ISS deorbit, lunar lander, spacesuit, and satellite data providers), international partners on the ISS and Artemis programs, universities and colleges participating in the Space Grant program, and federal agencies including the FAA, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and GAO that coordinate with NASA under the bill.
Why it matters
If enacted, the bill would set NASA's funding and programmatic direction for fiscal year 2026, shaping which commercial partners win ISS deorbit and lunar lander contracts, how quickly Artemis missions proceed, and whether science missions like Mars Sample Return and the Roman Space Telescope continue on schedule. The China restriction could affect scientific cooperation and diplomacy in space activities.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18352(a)) (Sec. 311)
Strikes 'take steps to' to strengthen NASA's obligation to maximize ISS utilization and productivity
Amends 51 U.S.C. 30307 (independent cost estimate) (Sec. 804)
Moves the required life-cycle cost estimate to after preliminary design review and bars obligating funds before it is reported to Congress
Amends Small Business Act, SBIR program (15 U.S.C. 638) (Sec. 401)
Adds NASA to agencies granted Phase II SBIR flexibility alongside the Department of Education
Creates Title 51, U.S. Code, Chapter 603 (commercial Earth remote sensing) (Sec. 606)
Adds a new Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program requiring NASA to purchase and disseminate commercial Earth observation data
Amends 51 U.S.C. 71103 and 71105 (near-Earth object policy) (Sec. 609)
Restructures near-Earth object policy responsibilities and formally establishes the Planetary Defense Coordination Office in statute
Amends National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (title 51, secs. 40303-40304) (Sec. 701)
Revises solicitation, award, and funding allocation rules for space grant consortia across states and territories
Amends 51 U.S.C. 20113 (Sec. 810)
Adds a new public-private talent exchange program allowing temporary employee assignments between NASA and private entities
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Fiscal year 2026 appropriation authorization for NASA
- Report on Space Launch System flight rate and demand
- United States strategy for low-Earth orbit architecture
- Independent cost estimate for ISS deorbit capabilities
- NASA Advisory Council congressional advice provision sunsets
Funding and costs
- $24,438,336,000
total NASA authorization for fiscal year 2026
- $7,783,000,000
Exploration programs including Artemis and Space Launch System
- $4,175,000,000
Space Operations, including the International Space Station
- $7,250,000,000
Science programs
- $935,000,000
Aeronautics research
- $920,500,000
Space Technology programs
- $143,000,000
Education programs including the Space Grant College and Fellowship Program
- $3,000,000,000
Safety, Security, and Mission Services
- $185,336,000
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration
- $46,500,000
NASA Office of Inspector General
How implementation would work
NASA would carry out the reauthorization through its existing directorates, issuing solicitations and agreements with U.S. commercial providers for ISS deorbit vehicles, human-rated lunar landers, spacesuits, and low-Earth-orbit platforms. Numerous provisions require NASA, GAO, or the Comptroller General to deliver reports and briefings to the Science, Space, and Technology and Commerce, Science, and Transportation committees within set deadlines ranging from 30 days to two years after enactment, covering strategy, cost estimates, and program status. Several sections direct interagency coordination with the FAA, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and OSTP, and require certifications before NASA may engage bilaterally with China-linked entities.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 0.
Official CRS summary
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This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill also directs NASA to continue planning for the eventual deorbit of the International Space Station (ISS) and to continue lunar and Mars exploration missions.
Specifically, the bill requires NASA to submit to Congress a strategy for research and operations in low-Earth orbit. (Low-Earth orbit generally encompasses an altitude of up to 2,000 kilometers.) With respect to the ISS, which sits in low-Earth orbit, NASA must generally maintain a flight cadence necessary to support productive use of the station through its operational lifetime. The bill provides statutory authority for NASA's acquisition of ISS deorbit capabilities from a commercial entity and specifies that NASA must not, to the greatest extent practicable, reduce or deprioritize ISS activities. (In 2024, NASA contracted with SpaceX for the development of an ISS deorbit vehicle.)
Further, NASA must report on the risk to science and technology research posed by lack of access to a low-Earth orbit platform (i.e., after retirement of the ISS). NASA may continue to enter into agreements with U.S. commercial entities for the development of one or more private, low-Earth orbit platforms.
Separately, the bill directs NASA to continue 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).
Finally, NASA must continue researching advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), and hypersonic technologies.
Legislative subjects
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; Science, Technology, Communications; Space flight and exploration; Spacecraft and satellites; Technology assessment; Telephone and wireless communication; Water quality; Water use and supply