S.Amdt. 6527

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Cruz and other members, proposes adding the NASA Authorization Act of 2026 to bill S. 4784. Its purpose is to authorize funding and set specific goals for NASA's activities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• Funding and Administration: It sets appropriation amounts for 2026 ($24,670,515,000) and 2027 ($25,287,277,875) across mission directorates. It also proposes an Infrastructure Capital Fund for facility modernization and reinstates the positions of Chief Scientist, Chief Economist, and Chief Technologist.

• Deep Space and Lunar Exploration: It focuses on the Artemis program, the Space Launch System, and establishing a Lunar Surface Moon Base for a permanent U.S. presence. It emphasizes using U.S. commercial providers for lunar landing and payload services.

• Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Transition: It outlines a transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercially led destinations and extends the ISS operational date to September 30, 2032.

• Science and Technology: It requires a balanced science portfolio with cost caps, creates a Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program, and establishes the Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation project. It also authorizes programs for space nuclear power, orbital debris remediation, and STEM education.

• Security and Defense: It adds authority to track threatening unmanned aircraft systems, updates firearm and arrest permissions for security personnel, and establishes a Planetary Defense Coordination Office. It also mandates strict security vetting and limits on collaboration or contracting with the People's Republic of China.

• Aeronautics and Specific Missions: It directs research into hypersonics, hydrogen aviation, and the modernization of the T-38 flight trainer aircraft fleet. It also restructures the Mars Sample Return program with an $8 billion cost limit and directs plans for the Apophis science mission and the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.

• Policy and Oversight: It requires the Administrator to respond to Congressional requests within 30 days, mandates briefings to Congress on milestones, and creates a Public-private Talent Program for temporary employee assignments. It also sets rules for the confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and authorizes government passenger carriers for official astronaut transportation.