Bill > S582

This bill establishes a new provision allowing NASA (the Administrator) to use government-owned passenger vehicles to transport astronauts and space flight participants between their residences and various locations for official post-mission purposes, such as medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. The transportation must be approved in writing by the Chief of the Astronaut Office and can include government astronauts, international partner astronauts, and space flight participants. International partner astronauts and space flight participants who are not U.S. government employees will be required to reimburse the Treasury for their transportation. The bill defines key terms like "mission," "official purpose," and "passenger carrier," which includes various modes of transportation such as motor vehicles, aircraft, boats, and vessels owned or leased by the U.S. government. The NASA Administrator is authorized to maintain, operate, and repair these passenger carriers for this purpose and can expend funds for transportation, despite existing restrictions in federal law regarding government vehicle use. The bill aims to provide comprehensive ground travel support for astronauts during their post-mission recovery and medical assessment periods.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/582/all-info