Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-102
§71103 Developing Policy and Recommending Responsible Federal Agency
Title 51 › Subtitle VII — Access to Space › CHAPTER 711 — NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS › § 71103
Summary
Within two years after October 15, 2008, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy must create a policy to notify federal agencies and emergency responders if a near‑Earth object poses a near‑term risk to public safety. The Director must also recommend which federal agency or agencies should protect the United States and, working with international partners, carry out any needed deflection.
Full Legal Text
Title 51, §71103
National and Commercial Space Programs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Within 2 years after October 15, 2008, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall—
(1)develop a policy for notifying Federal agencies and relevant emergency response institutions of an impending near-Earth object threat, if near-term public safety is at risk; and
(2)recommend a Federal agency or agencies to be responsible for—
(A)protecting the United States from a near-Earth object that is expected to collide with Earth; and
(B)implementing a deflection campaign, in consultation with international bodies, should one be necessary.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7110342 U.S.C. 17794.Pub. L. 110–422, title VIII, § 804, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4804. In the matter before paragraph (1), the date “October 15, 2008” is substituted for “the date of enactment of this Act” to reflect the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 71103
Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102