The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has unanimously approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2026. The bipartisan legislation, led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), authorizes $24.7 billion for NASA in Fiscal Year 2026 and $25.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2027, representing a 2.5 percent funding increase.
According to the official website, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee reviews legislation related to commerce, science, and transportation during congressional sessions and is directed by a chairman with members from both parties.
“This comprehensive bipartisan bill sets the stage for decades of continued U.S. leadership in outer space,” said Sen. Cantwell. “For the first time, it authorizes NASA to establish a permanent Moon base as part of sustained American presence on the lunar surface and defines a transition process to end operations on the ISS and shift to commercial space stations on the leading edge of a commercially-driven low Earth orbit economy. Our bill also rejects the President’s budget request that would have gutted NASA’s ability to accomplish its important aeronautics research and technology development missions in partnership with many companies in my home state, and saves fully functioning space and Earth science missions from the OMB chopping block.”
Key elements of the act include authorization for NASA’s first permanent Moon base aimed at long-term human habitation and industrial operations on the lunar surface. The legislation supports scientific investigations necessary for future Mars missions.
The committee rejected proposed Trump Administration cuts that would have reduced NASA’s science mission budget by nearly half, opting instead to fully fund all major activities in Fiscal Year 2026 with an increase planned for 2027.
The act also outlines a transition plan from reliance on the International Space Station (ISS) to future commercial space stations. It extends ISS operations until September 30, 2032—beyond current law—and requires proof of commercial station capabilities before transitioning away from ISS use.
Additionally, NASA is required to evaluate crew rescue options for astronauts returning from orbit or lunar missions under emergency or non-emergency conditions.
Support continues for ongoing Artemis Moon exploration efforts using private sector logistics support, including two lunar landers developed by commercial companies for transporting astronauts between lunar orbit and surface.
The act acknowledges NASA's role in supporting federal regulation of U.S. commercial space industry activities as human exploration grows.
NASA’s research into energy-efficient aircraft technologies will continue under this legislation as well.
As stated on its official website, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is a standing committee based in Washington D.C., focused on matters involving commerce, science, and transportation within the legislative branch.
