Space RACE Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Nov 19, 2025
Bottom line
The Space RACE Act creates a new non-federal entity to coordinate and fund microgravity research and development, aiming to ensure U.S. leadership in space exploration and innovation in the post-International Space Station era.
What it actually does
This bill, known as the "Space RACE Act," authorizes the establishment of the National Institute for Space Research (NISR) as a non-Federal entity, operated under a contractual agreement with NASA. The Institute's primary mission is to support in-space research and development, including for national security purposes, facilitate the transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to next-generation microgravity platforms, and foster education and workforce development in space research. It outlines the Institute's governance structure, activities, and grant-making authority, and mandates the termination of the ISS National Laboratory after ISS research operations cease.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in space research and development by establishing a dedicated, agile entity to coordinate efforts and leverage commercial space platforms. They contend it will foster innovation, support national security objectives, and prepare the U.S. microgravity ecosystem for the decommissioning of the ISS, while also promoting STEM education and workforce development.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might express concerns about the creation of a new non-federal entity, questioning whether existing federal agencies or programs could achieve similar goals more efficiently. They might also raise issues regarding the potential for conflicts of interest within the Board of Directors, the overall cost to taxpayers, or the implications of mandating the termination of the ISS National Laboratory without a fully proven successor structure.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, allowing for a thorough understanding of its provisions within a reasonable timeframe for an informed reader.
Section 1
Short Title
This section formally names the legislation the "Space Research And Continuing Exploration Act" or "Space RACE Act." This provides a common, easily referencable name for the bill, distinct from its longer official title.
Supporters argue
Naming the bill with a clear and memorable short title facilitates public and legislative discourse, making it easier to refer to and understand the purpose of the legislation.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is a standard legislative practice.
Tradeoffs
None inherent in the naming of the bill itself.
Section 2
Key Definitions
This section defines critical terms used throughout the Act, such as 'Administrator' (NASA), 'Institute' (the new National Institute for Space Research), 'ISS' (International Space Station), 'microgravity research,' and specific categories of projects like 'qualified national microgravity project' and 'research project.' It also modifies the definition of 'special Government employee' for the purposes of this Act, allowing for longer service periods.
Section 3(a)
Establishment of the National Institute for Space Research
This section authorizes the Administrator of NASA to establish the National Institute for Space Research (NISR) as a non-Federal entity, to be operated under a contractual agreement. Its establishment is contingent on appropriations and can occur no earlier than January 1, 2026. The Institute's core purposes include supporting in-space research, national security space uses, the microgravity ecosystem post-ISS, education, and the transition of research from the ISS to new platforms.
Section 3(b)
Governance Structure: Board of Directors
This section details the composition and duties of the Institute's Board of Directors. The Board will include representatives from NASA (Chairperson), the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Defense, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, the National Academy of Sciences, and two qualified private sector professionals. Members serve staggered 6-year terms. The Board is responsible for budget requests, policies, operations oversight, appointing the Executive Director, and setting research priorities. It also includes strict conflict of interest rules and a code of conduct.
Section 3(d)
Core Activities and Functions of the Institute
This section outlines the primary activities of the Institute. These include identifying and publishing available next-generation microgravity platforms, developing guidelines for their use by government agencies, providing competitively awarded grants (with matching funds) for research projects, fostering cooperation among federal, state, and academic entities, coordinating flight opportunities for national interest projects, and gathering lessons learned from the ISS transition.
Section 3(e)
Grants or Cooperative Agreements for Research
This section authorizes the Institute to award competitive grants or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible domestic entities (public, private, nonprofit, for-profit) to conduct microgravity research and development projects on next-generation platforms, subject to appropriations and matching funds. Applications must demonstrate scientific merit and alignment with national priorities. For projects deemed sensitive to national interest, the Administrator will coordinate with the grant recipient and Institute to allow use of NASA's allocated crew time, with a limitation that such use may not exceed 50% of that time. Other government agencies can also award subgrants to the Institute or eligible entities and consult with the Institute for technical assistance.
Section 4
Termination of ISS National Laboratory
This section mandates that the NASA Administrator shall terminate the ISS National Laboratory and its cooperative agreement with the current ISS management entity within 180 days after ISS research operations have ceased. This provision sets a clear timeline for the sunset of the current ISS research management structure.
The bill modifies the definition of 'special Government employee' (SGE) for the purposes of this Act, allowing individuals designated as SGEs to serve on the Board of Directors for more than 130 days during a 365-day period. This extends the typical service limit for SGEs, which usually triggers more stringent ethics rules.
Section 2(7) and Section 3(b)(2)(G), (K), (L)
Why it matters:While extending SGE service limits can be a technical adjustment to accommodate specialized expertise, it can also be seen as a way to allow individuals with private sector ties to maintain longer-term influence within a government-adjacent entity, potentially altering the scope of ethics rules that would otherwise apply.
Case for: Supporters would argue that this flexibility allows the Institute to retain highly qualified experts from academia and industry for longer periods, ensuring continuity and deeper engagement of critical knowledge on the Board, which is essential for guiding complex space research initiatives.
Case against: Critics might contend that extending the service period for SGEs could create potential for conflicts of interest, as individuals may maintain significant private sector affiliations while having prolonged influence over the Institute's policies, grants, and research priorities.
Estimated impact: This provision primarily impacts the ethical framework and operational continuity for a limited number of Board members, potentially influencing the perception of the Institute's independence.
This subsection explicitly states that the Institute shall not interfere with any existing agreements between the United States Government and microgravity platform providers regarding research and development activities conducted in partnership with any federal entity other than the Institute.
Section 3(f)
Why it matters:This provision is likely included to reassure other federal agencies and their private sector partners that the new Institute will not disrupt their ongoing, independently established microgravity research efforts. It clarifies the boundaries of the Institute's coordinating authority.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this ensures stability and continuity for existing federal space research programs, preventing the new Institute from inadvertently undermining or duplicating established partnerships and research efforts.
Case against: Critics might suggest that this limitation could fragment federal microgravity research efforts, potentially hindering the Institute's ability to fully centralize and optimize national priorities if significant activities remain outside its direct coordinating influence.
Estimated impact: This provision defines the scope of the Institute's authority, ensuring that it acts as a facilitator and grant provider rather than an overarching controller of all federal microgravity research.
This rule of construction clarifies that nothing in the Act should be interpreted to prevent a U.S. Government department or agency from entering into an agreement with a next-generation microgravity platform provider through means other than a grant provided by the Institute.
Section 3(h)
Why it matters:This provision reinforces agency autonomy, ensuring that the Institute does not become the sole gateway for federal agencies to access microgravity platforms. It likely addresses concerns from agencies that might prefer direct procurement or partnership models for their specific research needs.
Case for: Supporters would argue that this preserves flexibility for federal agencies, allowing them to pursue diverse research and development strategies and engage with platform providers through the most suitable mechanisms for their specific missions, without being solely reliant on the Institute's grant process.
Case against: Critics might contend that this provision could dilute the Institute's intended role as a central coordinator for national microgravity research priorities, potentially leading to fragmented efforts or missed opportunities for synergy and cost-effectiveness across the federal government.
Estimated impact: This clause maintains a degree of decentralization in federal microgravity research procurement, impacting how federal agencies interact with commercial space providers.