The "NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026" allocates funding for NASA's programs, emphasizing space exploration, the Artemis lunar program, and the Space Launch System. It focuses on space operations, technology, aeronautics, science, and STEM education, stressing U.S. leadership, international cooperation, and commercial partnerships. The bill directs the development of lunar landing systems, spacesuits, and low-Earth orbit strategies, maximizing the International Space Station's use and addressing orbital debris. It highlights lunar communication, time standardization, small business innovation, hypersonics, advanced materials, commercial space data usage, planetary defense, and astrophysics research. Moreover, it supports wildland fire science, the National Space Grant College Program, and STEM education, while promoting accountability, talent management, and scientific integrity within NASA.
NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026
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.
