KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announced that it passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2026, which extends the operations of the International Space Station by two years and helps to establish a base on the moon.
What You Need To Know
- The proposals in the act will have impacts on the space station, moon missions and astronauts
- The U.S. Senate and U.S. House must approve this new act before it takes effect
In a press statement that was released on Wednesday, there was a whole list of things that lawmakers of the committee hoped would be approved.
First, the bipartisan legislation increases NASA’s budget.
“The bipartisan legislation authorizes $24.7 billion for Fiscal Year 2026, and $25.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2027 for NASA, a 2.5 percent increase over the previous year, and provides the clear guidance needed to maintain American leadership in aeronautics, space exploration, Earth and space science, and space technology development,” the press release stated.
The committee also stated that it “rejects” the proposed cuts to NASA’s science mission made by the Trump administration and reinstates roles that were eliminated by DOGE.
“Rejects the nearly 50 percent cuts to NASA’s science mission proposed by the Trump Administration by fully funding all major NASA activities for Fiscal Year 2026 and increases funding by 2.5% for Fiscal Year 2027,” the committee stated in the press release, adding, the act, “reinstates the roles and responsibilities of NASA’s Chief Scientist, Chief Economist and Chief Technologist which were eliminated by DOGE.”
Last year, the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, or better known as DOGE, made waves to many U.S. departments, including NASA.
For example, nearly 1,000 NASA employees accepted resignation offers in the Deferred Resignation Program, which allowed employees to resign while keeping all of their pay and benefits.
Two more years of the ISS
Last year, NASA announced that the International Space Station would deorbit in 2030, after three decades of service.
However, the committee wants to extend the life of the space station for another two years and makes requirements for commercial space stations.
“Current law allows NASA to operate the ISS until 2030. This provision extends this date to September 30, 2032 to enable a safe and successful transition,” the committee stated, adding, “Once a commercial space station has demonstrated for a full year that it has the capabilities sufficient to support scientific research, technology development, national laboratory functions and commercial activities previously conducted aboard the ISS, NASA will be authorized to transfer operations to this station and initiate procedures to deorbit the ISS.”
Axiom Space is set to launch its Axiom Station, which would see its first module being attached to the International Space Station in 2027. However, Axiom Space on Thursday night confirmed with Spectrum News that its space station’s module will bne launching in 2028.
The company also shared a post on X, stating that it supports the act.
Axiom Space is proud to support the @NASA Authorization Act of 2026. The bill is a clear indicator that Chairman @SenTedCruz and the Senate Commerce Committee are determined to ensure the success of the entire human spaceflight enterprise including the @Space_Station transition… https://t.co/37T5LfJy9W
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) March 4, 2026
The Beaver Moon was seen over Orlando. (Spectrum News/Anthony Leone)
A base on the moon
The act also instructs NASA to have a permanent base on the moon’s surface.
“The lunar base will be capable of long-duration habitation, as well as robotic and human-tended industrial operations to advance science, technology and strategic interests,” stated the committee.
It also stated that a “sustained human and robotic presence” will be at this moonbase to support scientific investigations that will eventually lead to the foundation of missions to Mars.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman last week mentioned that the U.S. space agency has intentions of building a moonbase during a press conference where he announced that the Artemis III mission will not be landing on the moon and that it will be Artemis IV that will see humans returning to the lunar surface.
Establishing new rescue capabilities in space
The act also wants there to be procedures on how to rescue astronauts, either in a space station or on the moon.
“Requires NASA to evaluate existing and potential crew rescue capabilities for the return of astronauts from orbit and from the Moon in emergency and non-emergency scenarios,” the committee proposed, adding, “The capability will provide additional safety to astronauts and will allow missions to continue if a crewmember needs to return to Earth unexpectedly.”
It is not known if this has any connection with NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, who suffered a medical issue on the International Space Station in January.
Whatever the issue was, which NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman called a “serious medical condition,” it forced the U.S. space agency to cut the Crew-11 mission short and return home.
The U.S. Senate and U.S. House must approve this new act before it takes effect.
Spectrum News reached out to NASA for comment and on Friday morning, the U.S. space agency stated it would not comment on pending legislation.
