NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7273

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 0.

Last Updated

2026-06-04T18:46:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes funding and programs for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for fiscal year 2026. It aims to maintain U.S. leadership in space exploration, science, aeronautics, and technology while promoting commercial partnerships, international collaboration, and a balanced portfolio of missions. The act emphasizes continuity in key programs like Artemis (human lunar exploration), the International Space Station (ISS), and Earth science, while addressing emerging needs such as low-Earth orbit transitions, hypersonics research, and wildland fire management.

Key Provisions

The act authorizes $24,438,336,000 for NASA in fiscal year 2026, allocated across directorates as follows:

• Exploration: $7,783,000,000 (supports Artemis missions, Space Launch System (SLS), Orion crew vehicle, human-rated lunar landers, and advanced spacesuits).
• Space Operations: $4,175,000,000 (focuses on ISS maintenance, low-Earth orbit strategy, commercial platforms, and deorbit capabilities).
• Science: $7,250,000,000 (covers planetary science, Earth observations, astrophysics, heliophysics, and new initiatives like Mars sample return and commercial lunar payloads).
• Aeronautics: $935,000,000 (advances hypersonics, advanced air mobility, hydrogen aviation, and wildfire response technologies).
• Space Technology: $920,500,000 (includes Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) flexibility, lunar power studies, and cryogenic valve reviews).
• Education: $143,000,000 (enhances STEM programs like Space Grant fellowships and skilled technical workforce outreach).
• Safety, Security, and Mission Services: $3,000,000,000.
• Construction and Environmental Compliance: $185,336,000.
• Inspector General: $46,500,000.

Major Program Areas:

• Exploration (Title II): Reaffirms SLS and Orion development; mandates human-rated lunar landing from at least two U.S. commercial providers; requires reports on spacesuit testing and ISS extravehicular mobility units (EMUs).
• Space Operations (Title III): Develops a low-Earth orbit strategy post-ISS (deorbit by 2031); authorizes commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and nongovernmental ISS missions; funds U.S. deorbit vehicle acquisition.
• Space Technology (Title IV): Expands SBIR eligibility to NASA; studies lunar power purchase agreements and cryogenic technologies.
• Aeronautics (Title V): Updates hypersonics roadmap; supports unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility (AAM, defined as urban/regional transport using advanced aircraft), and emergency response tools; commissions a decadal survey for civil aeronautics (2026–2036).
• Science (Title VI): Ensures balanced missions per decadal surveys; establishes Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program; advances planetary defense, lunar exploration, and wildland fire projects (e.g., FireSense for predictive modeling); implements National Wildland Fire Commission recommendations.
• STEM Education (Title VII): Reforms Space Grant program with multi-year funding for all states, D.C., and Puerto Rico; promotes technical workforce outreach via hands-on learning.
• NASA Policy (Title VIII): Updates cost estimation rules; allows fund transfers from other agencies for research; restricts interactions with China unless certified low-risk; creates public-private talent exchange program (up to 3 years, limited to 2% of workforce).

The act requires numerous reports and briefings to Congress on progress, costs, and strategies, often within 90–270 days of enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Funding and Authorization: Authorizes specific FY 2026 appropriations, building on prior acts like the 2022 NASA Authorization Act (Public Law 117-167), with reaffirmations of programs like Moon to Mars and Artemis.
• Cost Management: Amends 51 U.S.C. § 30307 to require independent life-cycle cost estimates (not just analyses) after preliminary design review, prohibiting obligation of funds beforehand; updates major program guidelines to NASA Procedural Requirement 7120.5F (2021).
• Science and Decadal Surveys: Modifies 51 U.S.C. § 20305 to require reexamination of decadal surveys for budget changes; adds cost-cap reviews for principal investigator-led missions.
• ISS and Low-Earth Orbit: Strengthens ISS utilization (amends 42 U.S.C. § 18352); mandates deorbit from U.S. commercial providers; creates new low-Earth orbit requirements accounting.
• Commercial and Education Programs: Establishes permanent Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program (51 U.S.C. § 60307); overhauls Space Grant funding allocation (51 U.S.C. §§ 40303–40304) for equity across states/territories; adds NASA to SBIR Phase II flexibility (15 U.S.C. § 638).
• Planetary Defense: Updates 42 U.S.C. § 18387 and 51 U.S.C. § 71103 for ongoing coordination office maintenance.
• Talent and Agreements: Adds public-private talent program (51 U.S.C. § 20113(o)) with ethics safeguards; requires reports on Space Act Agreements' intellectual property.
• China Restrictions: Codifies limits on bilateral activities with China (expanding prior policies), with FBI-consulted exceptions.
• Other: Authorizes fund transfers for interagency research (51 U.S.C. § 20113(f)); extends NASA Advisory Council reporting to Congress until 2028.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: NASA gains structured funding and tools for mission continuity, cost control, and commercial integration, potentially reducing overruns but increasing reporting burdens. Other agencies (e.g., DOD, FAA, NOAA) benefit from collaborations on hypersonics, space weather, and fire management, with fund transfers enabling joint research.
• Citizens: Enhances public benefits via Earth science data for agriculture (e.g., crop monitoring) and wildfire prediction, improving food security and safety. STEM education expands opportunities, especially for underrepresented groups, fostering workforce development. Advanced aeronautics could lower emissions through hydrogen tech and improve emergency responses.
• International Relations: Promotes U.S. leadership in lunar norms and time standardization (e.g., coordinated lunar time); encourages partnerships for Artemis/ISS while restricting China ties, potentially straining relations but strengthening alliances (e.g., with Europe, Japan). Commercial lunar services could boost global space economy but raise debris mitigation needs.
• Broader Economy: Stimulates commercial space (e.g., low-Earth platforms, lunar payloads) with $24B+ investment, creating jobs in tech/manufacturing; hypersonics and AAM advance aviation competitiveness.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• NASA and Federal Agencies: Primary beneficiary (e.g., mission directorates); impacts DOD (hypersonics sharing), FAA (air mobility), NOAA (space weather), and OSTP/National Space Council (policy coordination).
• Commercial Providers: U.S. companies (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin) gain contracts for landers, deorbit vehicles, data acquisition, and low-Earth stations; must meet human-rating/safety standards.
• International Partners: ISS collaborators (e.g., ESA, Roscosmos) affected by deorbit plans and lunar strategy; potential for joint norms but exclusion of China.
• Educational Institutions and Students: Universities/consortia via Space Grant reforms; K-12/post-secondary via technical outreach, targeting diverse/underserved groups.
• Scientific Community: Researchers benefit from balanced missions, decadal-driven priorities, and data access (e.g., Landsat, commercial satellites); planetary/astrobiology experts gain from Mars return and Great Observatories.
• Citizens and Industries: Farmers (agricultural data), firefighters/emergency responders (FireSense tools), and aviation sector (hypersonics/AAM); extractive industries indirectly via space resources institute study.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens procurement rules (e.g., U.S.-only commercial providers per 51 U.S.C. § 30301) and ethics in talent exchanges (conflicts mitigation, no inherent governmental functions); ensures open data policies (e.g., nondiscriminatory Landsat access under 51 U.S.C. §§ 60141–60142). China restrictions align with national security laws but include waiver processes, avoiding absolute bans.
• Constitutional: Supports congressional oversight via mandatory reports/briefings; fund transfers respect appropriations clauses by merging with NASA budgets. No direct free speech issues, but preserves scientific integrity discussions (Sec. 814).
• Political: Reaffirms bipartisan priorities (e.g., Artemis leadership, commercial innovation) from prior acts, signaling commitment to U.S. space dominance amid competition (e.g., China, Russia). Budget authorizations could influence future appropriations debates; emphasis on decadal surveys depoliticizes science priorities. Potential for controversy in China limits or commercial favoritism, but neutrality via certifications promotes accountability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 0.
• 2026-02-04: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
• 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (131 pages)

Related Bills

• H.R. 2313 (119th Congress)
• H.R. 2600 (119th Congress)
• H.R. 390 (119th Congress)
• H.R. 5122 (119th Congress)
• H.R. 6638 (119th Congress)