Section was enacted as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1986, and not as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 which is classified principally to this chapter.

Section 205 of title II of Pub. L. 99–170 provided that: “This title [enacting this section and sections 2466a to 2466c of this title] shall apply to flights of the Space Transportation System beginning on and after October 1, 1988.”