Bill will support continued American leadership in Earth’s orbit & exploration of the Moon; Preparation for future journey to Mars

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Committee members Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2024, which would provide the agency $25.4 billion in funding for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation gives the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) clear guidance to keep aeronautics, space exploration, Earth and space science, and technology on a steady course to maintain American aerospace leadership.

"This bipartisan legislation sets an ambitious course for America's space program, ensuring NASA's leadership from Earth's orbit to the Moon and Mars," said Sen. Cantwell. "With a $25.4 billion investment in exploration and innovation, we're creating extraordinary economic opportunities - Washington state alone has over 1,500 aerospace companies generating $4.6 billion in economic activity. Together with Ranking Member Cruz, Senators Sinema, Wicker, Luján, and Schmitt, we're charting a strong course for America's leadership in space exploration."

“The United States’ global leadership in space exploration and aeronautics innovation has brought extraordinary economic growth and job creation to Texas and elsewhere,” said Sen. Cruz. “Since its creation, NASA has been at the forefront of our national security, technological innovation, and economic prosperity. This bipartisan legislation brings stability and certainty to NASA and the entire U.S. space program, including NASA centers like Houston’s Johnson Space Center. I am proud to join Chairwoman Cantwell, Space Subcommittee Chairwoman Sinema, and Ranking Member Schmitt, and Senators Lujan and Wicker in introducing this important legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to advance a bold vision for our nation's science and space exploration efforts.”

The NASA Reauthorization provides $25,477,540,000 in funding for FY25: 

• Exploration: $7,648,200,000
• Space Operations: $4,473,500,000
• Space Technology: $1,181,800,000
• Science: $7,575,700,000
• Aeronautics: $965,800,000
• STEM Engagement: $143,500,000
• Safety, Security, and Mission Services: $3,044,440,000
• Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: $424,100,000
• Inspector General: $50,500,000

The legislation:

Maintains continuity of purpose for space exploration

• Directs NASA to continue the development of all space exploration elements under the Artemis Moon exploration program, to include use of private sector logistics support. The Artemis missions will bring American astronauts in orbit around the Moon in April 2026 and to the Moon’s lunar surface in mid-2027.
• Supports maintaining safety and resiliency in lunar exploration through continued NASA support for at least two lunar landers. Lunar landers developed by commercial space companies will carry astronauts and cargo from the Moon’s orbit to the lunar surface and back.

Establishes a pathway for a commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy

• Requires NASA to maintain a continuous U.S. human presence in Earth’s orbit through and beyond the life of the International Space Station.
• Directs NASA to use commercially-provided orbiting space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in orbit and transition to use of these commercial stations once the International Space Station reaches the end of its operational life.
• Allows activities on the International Space Station to develop infrastructure, hardware, processes and technologies to help advance commercial Earth-orbiting space stations to support a U.S.-led space economy.

Authorizes development of lunar infrastructure and standards

• Requires NASA to continue the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to procure lunar payload delivery from commercial providers and to assess the agency’s future role in the commercial lunar delivery market.
• Focuses on advanced communications, navigation capabilities and time synchronization standards to ensure well-coordinated activities on the lunar surface.

Acknowledges NASA's important role in commercial human spaceflight activities

• As human space exploration grows, this conveys the sense of Congress that NASA’s expertise in human space flight remains vitally important and requires NASA to brief Congress on the support provided by its personnel to the federal agencies that regulate the U.S. commercial space industry.

Maintains aeronautics research vital to U.S. economic competitiveness

• Continues to support NASA research and development of safe and energy-efficient aircraft, such as hydrogen-powered aircraft and advanced composite materials for airplanes.

Fully funds the current Administration’s budget requests for all major NASA Activities

• This includes aeronautics, space exploration, Earth and space science, space technology development, and STEM education initiatives.

Read the S. 5600 bill text.