Sponsors (4)
The bill pairs DOE and NASA resources to accelerate advanced space, modeling, and energy-related R&D—boosting innovation and mission capability—but increases federal costs and raises nuclear safety, data-security, and mission-creep risks that require strong oversight and safeguards.
Researchers, national laboratories, and university scientists gain new coordinated DOE–NASA funding and programs that accelerate joint R&D in propulsion, quantum, AI, modeling, and related areas, increasing research capacity and innovation potential.
NASA missions and the U.S. space program gain improved access to DOE test facilities and nuclear propulsion expertise, speeding development of advanced space propulsion and related mission capabilities.
Advances in modeling, machine learning, and data analytics from joint work improve mission planning and the scientific value of Earth observation and space science data, benefiting researchers and educational institutions.
Taxpayers may face higher federal R&D spending or redirected budgets to support the joint programs, creating opportunity costs for other priorities.
Local communities, regulators, and the public could face increased nuclear safety, proliferation, and regulatory risks from collaboration on nuclear propulsion and fuels unless safety and nonproliferation controls are strict.
Scientists, researchers, and taxpayers risk mission creep and dispersed funding because broad authority to pursue "other areas" could shift resources away from prioritized projects without tight management.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows DOE and NASA to carry out coordinated joint R&D and competitive awards across shared technology areas via interagency agreements and merit review.
Authorizes the Department of Energy and NASA to carry out coordinated, cross-cutting research and development activities and to make competitive awards that support both agencies’ mission priorities. It allows those activities to be carried out through memoranda of understanding or interagency agreements (reimbursable or non‑reimbursable), requires merit‑review selection, and requires a joint report to relevant congressional committees within two years. Permitted collaboration areas include advanced propulsion and power (including nuclear thermal/electric and radioisotope power), modeling and data analytics, high‑energy physics and earth/environmental sciences, radiation health effects, quantum information science, space solar transmission technologies, and other jointly determined topics. Activities must be consistent with existing R&D competition and innovation law provisions.
Introduced February 14, 2025 by Nicholas J. Begich · Last progress March 25, 2025