Mike Kennedy (R-UT)
Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act" aims to increase NASA's use of nuclear propulsion and power systems for deep space exploration. It requires NASA to update its plans for nuclear systems and evaluate past program failures to prevent future mistakes. The bill focuses on securing reliable power for the lunar surface through reports on power demand and studies on power purchase agreements with private companies. It also allows NASA to enter into competitive agreements with private entities to procure lunar power. Finally, the bill mandates a review of how to handle risk and liability for commercial partners working on space nuclear activities.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +10
Does this put more into space exploration?
The entire bill is dedicated to enabling deep space exploration via advanced power systems.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
Directly advances the development of nuclear propulsion and power systems for deep space.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Opens competitive procurement opportunities for private sector lunar power providers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Efficiency and Reduced Costs: Leveraging commercially developed power infrastructure for Moon to Mars activities could lower the costs of these missions (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Support for Commercial Innovation: The bill encourages private companies to accelerate the deployment of lunar power sources, such as solar arrays and nuclear reactors (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Accountability for Taxpayer Funds: The bill requires a "lessons learned assessment" to identify failures in the joint NASA-DARPA program and outlines corrective actions to prevent those failures from happening again (Section 2(c)).
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Financial Protections for NASA: Agreements with private power providers are structured so that no more than ten percent of the contract value is paid before power is actually delivered to NASA or a NASA-sponsored entity on the moon (Section 3(d)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Liability and Risk: The bill calls for reports on the "indemnification of commercial partners," which involves exploring how the government might provide liability protection or risk-sharing for private companies using nuclear systems in space (Section 4(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — The entire bill is dedicated to enabling deep space exploration via advanced power systems. Does this put more money into scientific research? — Directly advances the development of nuclear propulsion and power systems for deep space.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Opens competitive procurement opportunities for private sector lunar power providers. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Benefits large-scale commercial space companies and their investors. Would students be better off under this? — Advances scientific frontiers and technological development relevant to STEM students. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Creates future opportunities in STEM and aerospace careers.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Encourages private sector development of lunar power systems, likely creating high-tech jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Stimulates growth in the aerospace and nuclear energy sectors through government contracts. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Implements strict payment terms (10% cap before delivery) to protect taxpayer funds.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires reports and 'lessons learned' assessments to identify and correct previous agency failures.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Includes the deployment of solar arrays as a primary lunar power source.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Explicitly allows NASA to consult with international partners for lunar power goals.
- 6/8/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina