Space Exploration Research Act

Bill Number

S. 2351

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-13: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T18:28:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Space Exploration Research Act (S. 2351) supplements the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator's existing powers to lease NASA-controlled real property (land and buildings). It enables long-term leases to specific public and nonprofit entities for building and operating facilities focused on space research, education, training, technology transfer, and related activities aligned with NASA's mission.

Key Provisions

• Leasing Authority (Section 2(a)):
• NASA Administrator can lease property for up to 50 years (renewable) to approved entities.
• Facilities must support:
• Aeronautical and space research.
• Education and training for space industry careers.
• Transfer of space technology between U.S. public and private sectors.
• Space- or aeronautics-related scientific, engineering, medical, or academic work.
• Other NASA-mission-relevant space activities.
• Leases use existing NASA authorities, with terms protecting U.S. interests.
• Support Mechanisms (Section 2(b)):
• Subject to available funds, NASA can:
• Lease back the property (even if subleased to third parties).
• Enter contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other deals.
• Provide administrative, instructional, or other support (with or without reimbursement).
• Eligible Entities (Section 2(c)):
• State where property is located.
• State subdivisions, agents, or agencies.
• Tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) nonprofits focused on education or science.
• Institutions of higher education.
• Administration (Sections 2(d)-(e)):
• Authority delegable to NASA staff.
• Applies regardless of other lease laws; overrides limits in:
• 40 U.S.C. § 1302 (federal real property leasing).
• 51 U.S.C. § 20145 (NASA property rules).
• 54 U.S.C. § 306121 (historic properties).
• Reporting (Section 2(f)):
• Annual report to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, covering mission relevance, financial value, fund use, lease counts, cost savings, and other benefits.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands Lease Terms: Increases maximum lease duration beyond current limits in overridden statutes (e.g., general federal leases often capped shorter).
• Supplemental Flexibility: Builds on NASA's existing powers without replacing them; allows subleasing and leasebacks not explicitly permitted before.
• Overrides Specific Restrictions: Bypasses federal property management rules, NASA-specific limits, and historic preservation requirements for these leases.
• Adds Oversight: Introduces mandatory annual congressional reporting, absent in prior authorities.

Potential Impacts

• On NASA/Government: Enables cost savings via reduced maintenance/operations; generates revenue; frees resources for core missions through partnerships.
• On Citizens/Education: Boosts space workforce training, research access, and tech transfer, potentially creating jobs and advancing U.S. space innovation.
• On Agencies: Minimal direct effect on other federal entities; states and locals gain development opportunities on NASA land.
• No Major International Impact: Focuses on domestic public/private/academic collaboration.

Main Stakeholders

• NASA Administrator and Staff: Gain expanded leasing and support powers.
• Eligible Entities: States, local governments, nonprofits, universities—benefit from access to NASA property for facilities.
• Congress: Receives annual reports for oversight.
• U.S. Space Industry/Public: Indirect gains from enhanced research, education, and technology sharing.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Provides clear exceptions to federal property laws, reducing bureaucratic hurdles; ensures U.S. interests protected via lease terms.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending and property clause powers (Article I); no apparent free speech, due process, or federalism issues.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Sens. Cruz, Padilla); promotes public-private partnerships, potentially appealing for space policy advancement and economic development without new spending. Annual reporting ensures accountability.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Cosponsors (5)

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-13: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.
• 2026-04-13: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-117.
• 2026-04-13: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-117.
• 2025-07-30: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2025-07-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2025-07-17: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Space Exploration Research Act — issued 2025-07-17 — PDF (5 pages)
• Space Exploration Research Act — issued 2026-04-13 — PDF (12 pages)