---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 71301"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "71301"
heading: "Common docking system standard to enable rescue"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/71301"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Access to Space"
  - "Chapter 713 — Cooperation for Safety Among Spacefaring Nations"
---

# §71301. Common docking system standard to enable rescue


In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts whose space vehicles have become disabled, the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall enter into discussions with the appropriate representatives of spacefaring nations who have or plan to have crew transportation systems capable of orbital flight or flight beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of agreeing on a common docking system standard.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3439.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 71301 | 42 U.S.C. 17734. | Pub. L. 110–422, title IV, § 407, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4790. |