S. 582Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:39 AM UTC

The Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act authorizes the use of federally owned passenger vehicles to transport U.S. government astronauts, partner astronauts, and space‑flight participants for post‑mission medical and related activities. It requires approval from NASA’s Chief of the Astronaut Office and allows NASA to maintain and operate the vehicles, with foreign participants required to reimburse the cost.

Key Provisions

Adds a new Section 20150 to Title 51, allowing the use of government‑owned passenger vehicles (cars, aircraft, boats, etc.) to transport government astronauts, international partner astronauts, and space‑flight participants.
Transportation is limited to “official purposes,” defined as post‑mission activities such as medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment needed before an astronaut receives clearance to drive.
The NASA Administrator may authorize and operate these vehicles, but only after written approval from the Chief of the Astronaut Office for each post‑mission trip.
International partner astronauts and non‑U.S. space‑flight participants must reimburse the Treasury for the transportation costs.
The Administrator must issue regulations to implement the program and may use appropriated funds to cover expenses despite certain budgetary restrictions.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions

SenateFloor Latest Action

Star Print ordered on report 119-82.

October 29, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 13, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

February 13, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

March 12, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-82.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

October 20, 2025

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 193.

October 20, 2025

SenateFloor

Star Print ordered on report 119-82.

October 29, 2025

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued October 20, 2025

Calendar No. 193

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 582

[Report No. 119–82]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 13, 2025

Mr. Cruz (for himself and Mr. Peters) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

October 20, 2025

Reported by Mr. Cruz, without amendment

A BILL

To provide for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation by certain astronauts.

Short title

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

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.

October 20, 2025

Reported without amendment