119 S582 IS: Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act U.S. Senate 2025-02-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 582IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 13, 2025Mr. Cruz (for himself and Mr. Peters) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo provide for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation by certain astronauts.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act.

2.

Passenger carrier use for astronaut transportation

(a)

In general

Subchapter III of chapter 201 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

20150.

Passenger carrier use for astronaut transportation

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Government astronaut; international partner astronaut; space flight participant; space support vehicle

The terms government astronaut, international partner astronaut, space flight participant, and space support vehicle have the meanings given such terms in section 50902.(2)

Mission

The term mission means an assignment to a space support vehicle of one or more—(A)government astronauts in the course of their employment; or(B)space flight participants.(3)

Official purpose

With respect to transportation, the term official purpose means transportation necessary for post-mission activities, including medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of a government astronaut or space flight participant before receiving post-mission medical clearance to operate a motor vehicle. (4)

Passenger carrier

The term passenger carrier means a passenger motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, or other similar means of transportation that is owned or leased by the United States Government. (b)

Authority

(1)

In general

The Administrator may authorize the use of a passenger carrier to transport a government astronaut or space flight participant between the residence of the individual and various locations if—(A)such transportation is provided for an official purpose; and(B)the Chief of the Astronaut Office has approved, in writing, post-mission transportation of government astronauts and space flight participants under this section.(2)

Maintenance, operation, and repair

The Administrator may maintain, operate, and repair one or more passenger carriers for the purpose of providing transportation pursuant to the authority provided in paragraph (1).(c)

Reimbursement

Transportation under subsection (b)(1) of an international partner astronaut or a space flight participant who is not an employee of the United States Government shall be subject to reimbursement to the Treasury.(d)

Regulations

The Administrator shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.(e)

Applicability of section 1344 of title 31

In carrying out subsection (b), the Administrator may expend funds available to the Administration, by appropriation or otherwise, notwithstanding section 1344(a) of title 31.

.(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents for chapter 201 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20149 the following:20150. Passenger carrier use for astronaut transportation..