NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

This legislation dictates the strategic direction and budget for U.S. space activities, directly impacting the timeline for human lunar missions, the future of the International Space Station, and the growth of the commercial space industry.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

NASA

The agency receives its annual authorization and specific programmatic directives.

U.S. private sector commercial space providers

These entities are prioritized for government contracts regarding lunar services, deorbit capabilities, and low-Earth orbit platforms.

STEM students

Students are eligible to participate in new national unmanned aircraft systems technology competitions.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill authorizes $25.2 billion in funding for NASA for 2025 and sets policy priorities for space exploration, aeronautics research, and commercial space partnerships. It mandates continued support for the Artemis lunar program, the International Space Station, and the development of commercial space capabilities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This legislation dictates the strategic direction and budget for U.S. space activities, directly impacting the timeline for human lunar missions, the future of the International Space Station, and the growth of the commercial space industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money does this bill provide for NASA?

The bill authorizes $25,224,640,000 for NASA for 2025.

What is the status of the International Space Station (ISS)?

The bill supports continued use of the ISS and requires the Administrator to acquire commercial capabilities to safely deorbit the station by the end of 2031.

Does this bill support private companies in space?

Yes, the bill emphasizes the use of U.S. private sector commercial providers for lunar logistics, deorbit capabilities, and low-Earth orbit platforms.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Commercialization of Space Operations

The bill shows a clear legislative push to shift NASA from an operator to a customer of commercial space services, particularly for lunar logistics and deorbiting the ISS.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Connected Entities

personLofgren“Representative Lofgren is a co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

personSorensen“Representative Sorensen is a co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

organizationCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology“A relevant committee of Congress.”Map →

personBabin“Representative Babin is a co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

organizationCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation“A relevant committee of Congress.”Map →

personLucas“Representative Lucas introduced the bill.”Map →

organizationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration“The agency this bill aims to reauthorize.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance95
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level