The US Senate has introduced a NASA authorization bill that would accelerate work on commercial space stations and address cost overruns on science programs. The bill, which was formally introduced on December 18 by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), aims to set an ambitious course for America’s space program.
The bill authorizes $25.478 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2025, slightly above the Senate version of an appropriations bill for the year. It focuses on plans to transition from the International Space Station to commercial space stations at the end of the decade, with a goal of maintaining a continuous human presence.
NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program would be accelerated, with a faster schedule than what NASA is currently proposing. The bill calls for NASA to release a final request for proposals for the next phase of the CLD program by the end of September 2025 and make selections by the end of March 2026.
The bill also addresses cost growth concerns in science missions, particularly the Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign, which has suffered extensive delays and cost overruns. NASA would be directed to provide a new implementation plan for MSR with realistic cost and schedule estimates within 90 days after enactment.
Despite not being taken up by the Senate before it adjourned, the bill may signal areas of interest in the new Congress that convenes in January. Leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee, Cruz and Cantwell, will remain as leaders next year, with a Republican-controlled Senate.
Source: https://spacenews.com/senate-nasa-bill-focuses-on-commercial-space-stations-science-mission-overruns