---
type: "LegalText"
title: "51 U.S.C. § 71301"
description: "Common docking system standard to enable rescue"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 51
title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
chapter_number: "713"
chapter_name: "COOPERATION FOR SAFETY AMONG SPACEFARING NATIONS"
section: "71301"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 71301"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s71301"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
source_hash: "454a50ee58e0208e70fdaf71c8bc230e596087daceea49c1acda03219274b57d"
raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
text_hash: "194f33c987acdaf5e78887c1055b1c85ef8862709627374428963aa81767c829"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 51 U.S.C. § 71301 - Common docking system standard to enable rescue

## Text

In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts whose space vehicles have become disabled, the Administrator 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.

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

## Notes

Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7130142 U.S.C. 17734.Pub. L. 110–422, title IV, § 407, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4790.