Space RACE Act

This bill would allow NASA's Administrator, starting no earlier than January 1, 2026 and subject to funding, to set up a National Institute for Space Research run by a non-federal entity under contract. The Institute would support research in orbit on next-generation microgravity platforms (space stations meant to follow the International Space Station), national security uses, and education and workforce development. A 12-member unpaid Board drawn from federal agencies and the space field would set research priorities and hire an Executive Director, and the Institute could award competitive grants or cooperative agreements to public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit groups. No more than 5 percent of Institute funds could go to administrative costs. NASA would have to end the ISS National Laboratory and its management agreement within 180 days after ISS research operations stop.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• John Cornyn Republican sponsor
• 4 cosponsors