S582-119

What This Bill Does

The Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act gives NASA explicit authority to use passenger carriers for astronaut ground transportation. It covers government astronauts, international partner astronauts, space flight participants, and space support vehicles, allowing NASA to arrange transportation between launch or landing sites, training, medical evaluations, and other mission-support locations.

Who Benefits and How

NASA astronauts benefit from clear authority for organized ground transportation tied to missions, training, and medical support. International partner astronauts benefit because the bill covers their transportation alongside U.S. government astronauts. Commercial passenger carriers benefit from potential NASA transportation service contracts. NASA mission managers benefit from a clean statutory basis for arranging ground travel during launch and landing operations.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NASA logistics offices must procure, schedule, and oversee passenger-carrier transportation services. Passenger carriers must meet NASA security, timing, and mission-support requirements. Federal taxpayers bear the costs of authorized astronaut transportation arrangements. NASA contracting staff must document covered travel and vendor compliance.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new title 51 section authorizing passenger-carrier use for astronaut transportation.
• Expands covered transportation support to government astronauts, international partner astronauts, space flight participants, and space support vehicles.
• Authorizes ground travel connected to launch, landing, training, medical, and mission-support activities.
• Provides NASA clear authority to buy or arrange passenger-carrier services for covered spaceflight personnel.