The ASTRO Act (Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options Act) would amend 31 U.S.C. § 1344 to authorize transportation for officers or employees of federal agencies who are returning from space when such transportation is necessary for medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment, or for other official duties as approved by the NASA Administrator, prior to them receiving post-flight medical clearance to operate a motor vehicle. The act requires NASA to report annually to Congress on these transportation arrangements, including who was transported, the nature of the transportation, costs, and total instances and costs in the prior year. It does not authorize any new funding for these provisions. In short, the bill creates a narrowly defined, temporary exception to driving clearance rules to ensure safe, necessary transportation for astronauts after spaceflight, with strong congressional oversight.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new allowance in 31 U.S.C. § 1344(b) to authorize transportation of astronauts returning from space when necessary for medical or official duties, before post-flight driving clearance is granted.
- 2Limit on who can be transported: officers or employees returning from space, with approval from the Administrator of NASA.
- 3Transportation is allowed only if needed for medical research/monitoring/diagnosis/treatment or other official duties as approved by NASA, and prior to medical clearance to drive.
- 4Requires annual reporting by NASA to specified House and Senate committees detailing individuals transported, descriptions, costs, number of instances, and total transportation costs.
- 5No new funding is authorized to carry out the Act; it relies on existing appropriations.