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S 582

Relates to green CHIPS projects

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Helming

NASA would be authorized to provide official ground and other passenger carrier transportation for returning astronauts and spaceflight participants to attend post‑mission medical

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Bill Summary · S 582

Summary — S. 582: Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act

Purpose

S. 582 (Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act) authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide official ground (and other passenger carrier) transportation for returning astronauts and spaceflight participants between their residences and NASA/medical/research sites for post‑mission, time‑sensitive activities until they are medically cleared to operate a motor vehicle.

Note: Although some metadata provided with the request referenced “green CHIPS projects,” the text and committee report for S. 582 consistently describe the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act. This summary follows the bill text and Senate report.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (§20150) to chapter 201 of Title 51 (NASA):
    • Definitions for government astronaut, international partner astronaut, spaceflight participant, mission, official purpose, and passenger carrier.
    • Authority for the NASA Administrator to authorize use of a passenger carrier (motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, etc. owned or leased by the U.S. Government) to transport government astronauts and spaceflight participants between residence and locations for “official purposes” such as post‑mission medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment.
    • Requires written approval from the Chief of the Astronaut Office for post‑mission transportation.
    • Permits NASA to maintain, operate, and repair passenger carriers for this purpose.
    • Reimbursement: transportation provided to international partner astronauts or spaceflight participants who are not U.S. government employees is subject to reimbursement to the Treasury.
    • Directs NASA to promulgate regulations to implement the section.
    • Allows NASA to expend available funds notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. §1344(a) (i.e., consistent with prior statutory authority for certain transportation uses).

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: returning long‑duration government astronauts and spaceflight participants (including international partners) who are not yet medically cleared to drive.
  • Agency affected: NASA (operations, logistics, medical/research follow‑up).
  • Fiscal effect on Treasury only for reimbursements from non‑U.S. government individuals; routine operational costs borne by NASA subject to appropriations.

Cost and impact

  • Congressional Budget Office estimate: implementation would cost less than $500,000 over 2025–2030, subject to appropriations.
  • Regulatory impact: affects a very small population (returning crew members) and formalizes existing routine transport practices so NASA can provide timely access to medical/research facilities.

Procedural status & sponsors

  • Introduced Feb 13, 2025 by Sen. Ted Cruz (cosponsor Sen. Gary Peters).
  • Referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; reported favorably without amendment (committee action March 12, 2025).
  • Senate Report No. 119‑82 filed Oct 20, 2025; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 193).
  • CBO cost estimate included in the committee report.
  • Related/companion measures noted in legislative record (e.g., S. 933).

Practical effect

The bill codifies and clarifies NASA’s authority to provide post‑mission transportation so returning crew can promptly participate in time‑sensitive medical research and care, while addressing administrative and reimbursement mechanics and keeping estimated costs low.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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