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or reduce the Federal Government’s ability to make 
such data available for the widest possible use; and 
(4) recommendations and opportunities for the 
Federal Government to mitigate potential tradeoffs 
or impacts identified under paragraph (3) or to oth-
erwise facilitate private sector data-buys or service 
procurements. 
SEC. 605. PRIVATE EARTH OBSERVATION DATA. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 702 of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 18371) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Director of OSTP’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of OSTP’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In updating the civil Earth 
observation strategic implementation plan pursuant to 
subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall consider commercial Earth obser-
vation data, as appropriate, that can be purchased or 
accessed by the Federal Government to meet Earth obser-
vation requirements.’’. 
(b) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
PORT.—Not later than 12 months after the release of the 
next civil Earth observation strategic implementation plan 
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update under section 702(a) of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18371(a)), the Comptroller General shall report to 
the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment of 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Pol-
icy’s implementation of section 702(b) of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18371(b)), as amended. 
SEC. 606. COMMERCIAL SATELLITE DATA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Section 60501 of title 51, United States 
Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science pro-
gram of NASA shall be to pursue a program of 
Earth observations, research, and applications activi-
ties to better understand the Earth, how it supports 
life, and how human activities affect its ability to do 
so in the future. 
(2) Section 50115 of title 51, United States 
Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, 
to the extent possible and while satisfying the sci-
entific or educational requirements of NASA, and 
where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and 
scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, 
space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote 
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sensing data, services, distribution, and applications 
from a commercial provider. 
(3) The Administrator of NASA established the 
Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Pro-
gram in 2019 to identify, validate, and acquire from 
commercial sources data that support the Earth 
science research and application goals. 
(4) The Administrator of NASA has— 
(A) determined that the pilot program de-
scribed in paragraph (3) has been a success, as 
described in the final evaluation entitled ‘‘Com-
mercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program 
Pilot Evaluation Report’’ issued in 2020; 
(B) established a formal process for evalu-
ating and onboarding new commercial vendors 
in such pilot program; 
(C) increased the number of commercial 
vendors and commercial data products available 
through such pilot program; and 
(D) expanded procurement arrangements 
with commercial vendors to broaden user access 
to provide commercial Earth remote sensing 
data and imagery to federally funded research-
ers. 
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(b) COMMERCIAL SATELLITE DATA ACQUISITION 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 603 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition pro-
gram 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mis-
sion Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate 
cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote 
sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, 
operational, and educational requirements of the Adminis-
tration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies 
and scientific researchers to augment or complement the 
suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administra-
tion, other United States Government agencies, and inter-
national partners. 
‘‘(b) DATA PUBLICATION AND TRANSPARENCY.—The 
terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing 
data and imagery acquisitions under the program de-
scribed in subsection (a) shall not prevent— 
‘‘(1) the publication of commercial data or im-
agery for scientific purposes; or 
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‘‘(2) the publication of information that is de-
rived from, incorporates, or enhances the original 
commercial data or imagery of a vendor. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION.—In carrying out the program 
under this section, the Administrator may— 
‘‘(1) procure the commercial Earth remote 
sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors 
to advance scientific research and applications in ac-
cordance with subsection (a); and 
‘‘(2) establish or modify end-use license terms 
and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of 
procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and 
imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded 
users, consistent with the goals of the program. 
‘‘(d) UNITED STATES VENDORS.—Commercial Earth 
remote sensing data and imagery referred to in sub-
sections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, be procured from United States vendors. 
‘‘(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this section and annually there-
after, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives a report that includes the fol-
lowing information regarding the agreements, vendors, li-
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cense terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing 
data and imagery under this section: 
‘‘(1)(A) In the case of the initial report, a list 
of all agreements that are providing commercial 
Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as 
of the date of the report. 
‘‘(B) For each subsequent report, a list of all 
agreements that have provided commercial Earth re-
mote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the 
reporting period. 
‘‘(2) A description of the end-use license terms 
and conditions for each such vendor. 
‘‘(3) A description of the manner in which each 
such agreement is advancing scientific research and 
applications, including priorities recommended by 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine decadal surveys. 
‘‘(4) Information specifying whether the Admin-
istrator has entered into an agreement with a com-
mercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the 
use of data and imagery by Federal Government em-
ployees, contractors, or non-Federal users.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States 
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Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.’’. 
SEC. 607. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION MEASUREMENTS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) observation and measurement of greenhouse 
gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are of 
critical importance to understand the sources of 
these emissions; 
(2) additional tools can improve the precise de-
tection of methane leaks from natural gas lines and 
production facilities to reduce economic losses and to 
reduce unintentional release of this potent green-
house gas; 
(3) observation of such gases can be conducted 
with a combination of space-based, airborne, and 
ground-based instruments; 
(4) in 2022, NASA cancelled the Geostationary 
Carbon Cycle Observatory, a competitively-selected, 
Principal Investigator-led instrument under develop-
ment that is designed to make space-based observa-
tions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, 
carbon monoxide, and methane, as well as vegetation 
health over the western hemisphere from geo-
synchronous orbit; and 
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(5) in 2023, the Geostationary Carbon Cycle 
Observatory PI-led project team delivered an 
unvalidated instrument assembly and flight spares to 
NASA as part of the project closeout activities. 
(b) HARDWARE.— 
(1) The Administrator shall assess the hard-
ware and, to the maximum extent practicable, seek 
to validate the instrument assembly delivered to the 
Administration under the contract for the develop-
ment of GeoCarb, which shall include an assessment 
of scientific capabilities of the delivered hardware, 
including potential repurposed uses or science con-
tributions. 
(2) The Administrator, within 6 months of the 
date of the enactment of this Act, shall provide a re-
port to the appropriate committees of Congress re-
garding the results of the assessment conducted pur-
suant to paragraph (1) and if appropriate based on 
the assessment, a list of potential launch opportuni-
ties, including cost and schedule associated with 
such opportunities. 
(c) STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator, in consultation with the National Oceanic 
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and Atmospheric Administration, the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology, and other rel-
evant agencies, shall enter into an agreement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine to develop a science-based strategy to 
assess and evaluate the use of present and future 
greenhouse gas monitoring and detection capabili-
ties, including ground-based, airborne, and space- 
based sensors and integration of data relating to 
such monitoring and detection from other indicators, 
to detect large methane emission events (commonly 
referred to as ‘‘methane super-emitters’’). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy described in 
subsection (a) shall include the following elements: 
(A) Development of a proposed definition 
for the term ‘‘methane super-emitter’’. 
(B) Examination of whether and how cur-
rent and planned Federal greenhouse gas moni-
toring and detection capabilities may be lever-
aged to monitor and detect methane super- 
emitters, and identify key gaps in such capabili-
ties. 
(C) Examination of the effectiveness of the 
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center and Greenhouse 
Gas Monitoring and Measurement Interagency 
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Working Group in facilitating interagency col-
laboration for greenhouse gas monitoring and 
detection, data standards, stewardship, and 
data integration, including activities related to 
monitoring 
and 
detecting 
methane 
super- 
emitters. 
(D) Examination of actions taken by Fed-
eral agencies and departments in response to 
the National Strategy to Advance an Integrated 
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Measurement, Moni-
toring, and Information System, including 
progress towards pathways to enhance the sci-
entific and operational value of information re-
garding methane super-emitters. 
(E) Consideration of options for the Fed-
eral Government to partner with nongovern-
mental entities, including State and local gov-
ernments, academia, nonprofit organizations, 
commercial industry, and international organi-
zations, to effectively leverage greenhouse gas 
monitoring and detection capabilities to monitor 
and detect methane super-emitters. 
(F) Consideration of options for the Fed-
eral Government to validate and verify tech-
nologies and data developed or collects by non-
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governmental entities, academia, nonprofit or-
ganizations, commercial industry, and inter-
national organizations related to monitoring 
and detecting methane super-emitters. 
(G) Recommendations regarding the activi-
ties under subparagraphs (A) through (F), as 
appropriate. 
(d) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator may use 
the strategy described in subsection (a) to inform the plan-
ning of research and development activities regarding 
greenhouse gas monitoring and detection, including meth-
ane super-emitters. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the execution of the agreement between the Admin-
istrator and the National Academies of Sciences, Engi-
neering, and Medicine under subsection (a), the National 
Academies shall submit to the Administrator, the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
strategy described in subsection (a). 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) GREENHOUSE GAS MONITORING AND DE-
TECTION.—The term ‘‘greenhouse gas monitoring 
and detection’’ means the direct observation, from 
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space or in-situ, or collection of measurement data 
pertaining to, greenhouse gas emissions and levels. 
(2) GEOCARB.—The term ‘‘GeoCarb’’ shall 
mean the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory. 
SEC. 608. NASA DATA FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) NASA has decades of experience in space- 
based scientific Earth observations and measure-
ments, including data, trends and modeling. 
(2) NASA Earth science data, which includes 
data 
on 
precipitation, 
temperature, 
evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and vegetation 
health, has been used to inform the decisionmaking 
of agricultural producers. 
(3) NASA applies its scientific data and models 
to inform and support the agricultural community 
and engages in innovative collaborations such as the 
NASA Acres and NASA Harvest agricultural con-
sortia. 
(4) NASA uses space-based Earth observations 
and science and applications to support farmers in 
efforts to conserve water and other resources, im-
prove farm management and crop yield, and facili-
tate the stability of the national food supply. 
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(5) NASA’s upcoming Earth System Observ-
atory will benefit the agricultural community by im-
proving observations critical for measuring and un-
derstanding cropland conditions, water availability, 
early onset crop disease, soil moisture, and other 
crop and rangeland management indicators. 
(6) Increased engagement between NASA and 
the agricultural community can support agricultural 
producers, bolster the national food supply, and im-
prove agricultural research, science, and technology. 
(b) DATA DISSEMINATION.—NASA shall continue to 
partner with other relevant Federal agencies, as prac-
ticable, to disseminate water, soil, vegetation, land-use, 
and other relevant NASA Earth observation and science 
data, information and tools to support American agricul-
tural producers. Such partnerships may include activities 
such as— 
(1) continuing the leverage NASA Earth 
science water data and information to enable effi-
cient use of resources, inform irrigation decisions, 
and support local innovation and control of water 
management; 
(2) supporting agriculture decisionmaking by 
increasing the accessibility and useability of NASA 
Earth science data, information, and tools relevant 
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to the impact of disease, weather, precipitation, and 
other environmental factors on agricultural produc-
tion; or 
(3) making available, to the greatest extent 
practicable, NASA earth science measurements and 
data to advance precision agricultural capabilities 
relevant to the needs and requirements of agricul-
tural producers. 
(c) APPLICATION OF SPACE-BASED DATA.—The Ad-
ministrator shall, in furtherance of the goal for the 
NASA’s Earth science and applications program of secur-
ing practical benefits for society, as set forth in section 
60501 of title 51, United States Code, continue to collabo-
rate with relevant Federal agencies to develop mechanisms 
to transition, as appropriate, relevant NASA Earth 
science research findings, data, information, models, and 
capabilities to operational governmental and private sector 
entities focused on addressing the needs of the agricultural 
user community. 
(d) PARTNERING.—In carrying out subsections (b) 
and (d), NASA shall, to the extent practicable and in col-
laboration with other relevant Federal agencies, where ap-
propriate, continue to engage State and local government 
agencies, institutions of higher education, agriculture pro-
ducer organizations, and other relevant stakeholder and 
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user communities from the public and private sectors to 
improve dissemination of NASA Earth science data, infor-
mation, and tools relevant to the needs of agricultural pro-
ducers and the agriculture industry, in accordance with 
the goal for the Administration’s Earth science and appli-
cations program set forth in section 60501 of title 51, 
United States Code, and relevant recommendations of the 
most recent decadal survey on Earth science and applica-
tions from space. 
SEC. 609. PLANETARY SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) planetary science missions advance the sci-
entific understanding of the solar system and the 
place of humans in it while also advancing the de-
sign and operations of spacecraft and robotic engi-
neering; and 
(2) Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship 
programs allow NASA to fund a range of missions 
that vary in size, cost, and complexity; maintaining 
balance across these mission classes allows for a 
broad scope of discoveries and scientific advances. 
(b) MISSION
PRIORITIES
REAFFIRMATION.—Con-
gress reaffirms the direction in section 502(b)(1) of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transi-
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tion Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 
U.S.C. 20302 note) that— 
(1) in accordance with the priorities established 
in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Sur-
vey, the Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest 
extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set 
of Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions 
at the cadence recommended by the most recent 
Planetary Science Decadal Survey; and 
(2) consistent with the set of missions described 
in paragraph (1), and while maintaining the con-
tinuity of scientific data and steady development of 
capabilities and technologies, the Administrator may 
seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, 
schedule, and scope in light of changing budget pro-
jections. 
SEC. 610. PLANETARY DEFENSE. 
(a) Section 808 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18387), is amended in subsection (b) by striking 
‘‘implement, before September 30, 2012,’’ and inserting 
‘‘, in coordination with the NASA Administrator, maintain 
and regularly update’’. 
(b) Title 51, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 71103— 
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(A) in the section heading, by striking 
‘‘Developing 
policy 
and 
recom-
mending’’ and inserting ‘‘Policy on near- 
Earth objects and’’ 
(B) by striking ‘‘Within 2 years after Oc-
tober 15, 2008, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(C) after ‘‘Policy shall’’, by inserting ‘‘, in 
coordination with the Administrator, maintain 
and regularly update’’; 
(D) by striking ‘‘(1) develop’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(2) rec-
ommend’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘recommendations 
for’’; and 
(2) in chapter 711— 
(A) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 71105. Planetary defense coordination office 
‘‘(a) OFFICE.—As directed in section 10825 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167), the Adminis-
trator shall maintain an office within the Planetary 
Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate to be 
known as the ‘Planetary Defense Coordination Office’. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Consistent with the direc-
tion in section 10825 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
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Law 117–167) the Planetary Defense Coordination Office 
under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) plan, develop, and implement a program to 
survey threats posed by near-Earth objects equal to 
or grater than 140 meters in diameter, as required 
by section 321(d)(1) of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 
(Public Law 109–155; 119 Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 
71101 note prec.); 
‘‘(2) identify, track, and characterize potentially 
hazardous near-Earth objects, issue warnings of the 
effects of potential impacts of such objects, and in-
vestigate strategies and technologies for mitigating 
the potential impacts of such objects; and 
‘‘(3) assist in coordinating government planning 
for a response to a potential impact of a near-Earth 
objects.’’; and 
(B) in the table of contents— 
(i) by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘71105. Planetary Defense Coordination Office.’’; and 
(ii) by amending the item relating to 
section 71103 to read as follows: 
‘‘71103. Policy on near-Earth objects and responsible Federal agency.’’. 
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SEC. 611. LUNAR DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may carry out, 
within the Science Mission Directorate, a program to ac-
complish science objectives for the Moon, with an organi-
zational structure that aligns responsibility, authority, and 
accountability, as recommended by the most recent 
decadal survey for planetary science and astrobiology. 
(b) OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying 
out the program in subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
direct the Science Mission Directorate, in consultation 
with the Exploration Systems Development Mission Direc-
torate and the Space Technology Mission Directorate, to 
define high-priority lunar science objectives informed by 
decadal and other scientific consensus recommendations, 
and related requirements of an integrated Artemis science 
strategy for human and robotic missions to the Moon. 
(c) INSTRUMENTATION.—The program in subsection 
(a) should assess the need for and facilitate the develop-
ment of instrumentation to support the scientific explo-
ration of the Moon. 
SEC. 612. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Administrator’s encouragement and 
support for commercial services for lunar surface de-
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livery capabilities and other related services serves 
the national interest; and 
(2) commercial providers benefit from an ap-
proach that places low-cost, noncritical instruments 
on initial deliveries using small- and medium-size 
landers before proceeding to larger landers for more 
complex payloads. 
(b) COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES.—The 
Administrator is authorized to establish a Commercial 
Lunar Payload Services program for the purposes of pro-
curing, from one or more United States commercial pro-
viders, services for delivery of NASA science payloads, and 
the payloads of other NASA mission directorates, as ap-
propriate and practicable, to the lunar surface. 
(c) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
MISSION
DIREC-
TORATES.—A Mission Directorate that seeks to obtain 
commercial lunar payload services under the program es-
tablished in subsection (b) shall provide funding for— 
(1) any payload, instrument or other item spon-
sored by the Mission Directorate for delivery 
through the program; and 
(2) the cost of the commercial lunar payload 
services obtained on behalf of the Mission Direc-
torate. 
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