S.1437 - Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act; ASCEND Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1437, the ASCEND Act, directs NASA to establish a program for acquiring and disseminating commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery. This program aims to support NASA's scientific, operational, and educational requirements, as well as those of other federal agencies and researchers. The bill emphasizes the use of commercial data sources and promotes data publication and transparency.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely increase the availability of commercial Earth observation data for scientific research and government applications. It will also foster collaboration between NASA and commercial vendors. This will lead to advancements in Earth science and related fields.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced scientific research through increased access to diverse Earth observation data.
- Potential cost savings by leveraging commercial data sources instead of developing proprietary systems.
- Increased innovation in the commercial remote sensing sector.
- Improved understanding of Earth's systems and human impact on the environment.
- Better-informed decision-making by federal agencies using Earth observation data.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for over-reliance on commercial vendors, which could create vulnerabilities if those vendors face disruptions.
- Risk of data quality issues if commercial data is not properly validated.
- Possible limitations on data access or usage imposed by commercial vendors.
- Increased costs to taxpayers if commercial data is not acquired cost-effectively.
- Potential for bias in research if data acquisition is not carefully managed.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble) by promoting scientific research and understanding of the Earth, which can lead to better environmental policies and resource management. It also aligns with Congress's power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8) by promoting the acquisition of commercial data and services. The emphasis on transparency and data publication supports the principles of freedom of information and open government, which are implicit in the First Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).