Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act

This bill, the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act, lets NASA use government vehicles to safely drive astronauts and other space travelers to and from medical checkups, treatment, and research after they return to Earth—times when they may not be allowed to drive themselves yet. NASA can also keep, operate, and repair cars, planes, or other vehicles for this purpose.

If an international partner astronaut or another person who isn’t a U.S. government employee needs these rides, the cost must be paid back to the U.S. Treasury.

• Who is affected: U.S. government astronauts, certain international partner astronauts, and other people who flew on launch or reentry vehicles.
• What changes: NASA may use and maintain government vehicles to get them to post-mission medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment before they’re cleared to drive.
• Cost: Non–U.S. government riders must reimburse the Treasury.