To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to space resources, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6638
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T20:13:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The purpose of H.R. 6638 is to direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Commerce to evaluate the potential benefits and possibilities of creating an institute focused on space resources. This institute would aim to strengthen the United States' leading position in space activities by promoting the discovery, development, and use of resources found in outer space, such as raw materials or energy sources.
Key Provisions
- Report Requirement: Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, the NASA Administrator and the Secretary of Commerce must jointly submit a report to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Report Content on Merits and Options: The report must assess the value of establishing an institute to support NASA's and the Department of Commerce's goals in space leadership, including:
- Identifying, developing, and sharing space resources by building basic scientific knowledge, industrial skills, and technologies.
- Lowering technical and business risks in handling space resources.
- Conducting research to ensure responsible use of space resources.
- Exploring ways to apply space resources to:
- Support ongoing and future space systems, programs, businesses, and missions.
- Make possible new space systems, programs, businesses, and missions that couldn't happen otherwise.
- Add to Earth's supply of such resources.
- Additional Assessments: The report must include evaluations on:
- Whether a virtual (online-based) or physical institute would be more cost-effective and suitable.
- The potential benefits of collaborating with universities, the aerospace industry, and relevant parts of the extractive industry (companies and people involved in extracting raw materials or energy from the Earth, like mining or drilling) to gather more information and advance the institute's goals.
- Definitions:
- Extractive industry: Businesses and individuals engaged in pulling out natural raw materials or energy sources from the ground, such as through mining, quarrying, drilling, or dredging.
- Institution of higher education: Colleges and universities, as defined under federal education law.
- Space resource: A non-living natural resource located in outer space, including raw materials or energy sources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new requirement for a joint report from NASA and the Department of Commerce, which does not exist in current law. It does not amend or repeal any prior statutes but lays the groundwork for potential future actions, such as creating a new institute, without mandating its establishment.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NASA and the Department of Commerce would need to allocate resources for preparing the report, potentially leading to new collaborations between them. If an institute is recommended and later created, it could expand their roles in space resource management.
- Citizens: Indirect benefits might include advancements in space technology that could lead to innovations in energy or materials on Earth, though no direct effects on daily life are specified.
- International Relations: The focus on maintaining U.S. "preeminence" in space could strengthen America's position in global space competitions, potentially influencing diplomatic efforts on space resource rules under international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty (which governs peaceful use of space but does not fully address resource extraction).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NASA (responsible for space exploration) and the Department of Commerce (oversees trade and economic aspects of space activities).
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which receive and review the report.
- Industry and Education: Aerospace companies, extractive industry firms (e.g., mining experts adaptable to space), and universities, which could partner with or benefit from a future institute through research and development opportunities.
- Space Sector Broadly: Private space businesses and missions that might use space resources for sustainability or cost savings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill aligns with existing U.S. space law, such as the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015, which allows U.S. citizens to own space resources they extract. However, it raises questions about international compliance, as space resource use must respect global agreements prohibiting national claims to celestial bodies. The report could inform future regulations on "responsible use."
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it falls under Congress's authority to regulate commerce and fund science (Article I, Section 8). It promotes inter-agency cooperation without infringing on executive powers.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by representatives from both parties), it signals congressional interest in commercial space growth amid rising competition from nations like China. It could spark debates on public funding for space initiatives versus private sector involvement, potentially influencing future budgets or treaties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to space resources, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (4 pages)