Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act

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

In this section:

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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: