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EO 13744Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13744

Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events

This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to prepare for and mitigate space weather events such as solar flares and geomagnetic disturbances that threaten critical infrastructure including GPS, satellites, aviation, and the electrical power grid. It assigns specific roles to multiple agencies, creates a new NSTC subcommittee for coordination, and mandates several plans and assessments within 60-180 days to enhance forecasting, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 71573

Impact dates

  1. Agencies develop operational plans for space weather preparedness, protection, and mitigation

  2. Subcommittee provides report on sector-specific agency authority assessments with recommendations

  3. Secretary of Energy develops plan for pilot program to test grid protection devices; sector-specific agencies assess authority over critical infrastructure; Secretaries of Defense and Commerce make GPS/satellite data publicly available; DHS/FEMA develops federal operating concept and checklist

  4. Secretaries of Defense and Commerce, NASA Administrator, and NSF Director identify mechanisms for advancing space weather observations, models, and predictions

Key directives

  • OSTP Director to coordinate federal space weather preparation activities in consultation with Homeland Security Advisor and OMB Director
  • NSTC to establish Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Subcommittee
  • Secretary of Energy to develop and implement pilot program for grid protection devices against geomagnetic disturbances
  • Sector-specific agencies to assess legal authority over critical infrastructure during space weather events and report to Subcommittee
  • Subcommittee to provide findings and recommendations to OSTP, Homeland Security Advisor, and OMB Director
  • Secretaries of Defense and Commerce, NASA Administrator, and NSF Director to identify mechanisms for sustaining research-to-operations transitions
  • Secretaries of Defense and Commerce to make GPS and satellite historical data publicly available per open data standards
  • DHS/FEMA to lead development of federal operating concept and checklist for space weather response
  • Agencies to develop operational plans compatible with National Preparedness System within 180 days of operating concept publication
  • All agencies supporting National Essential Functions to incorporate space weather into all-hazards preparedness planning

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Subcommittee under NSTC
  • OSTP Director assumes coordination role for federal space weather activities

Near term (90d)

  • Secretaries of Defense, Commerce, NASA Administrator, and NSF Director must identify mechanisms for advancing space weather observations and research-to-operations transitions (60 days)
  • Sector-specific agencies must assess authority to direct/suspend/control critical infrastructure operations (120 days)
  • Secretary of Energy must develop pilot program plan for grid protection devices (120 days)
  • Secretaries of Defense and Commerce must make GPS and satellite historical data publicly available (120 days)
  • DHS/FEMA must develop federal operating concept and checklist for space weather response (120 days)
  • Subcommittee must report on sector-specific agency authority assessments (90 days after receiving assessments, so approximately 210 days from signing)

Long term

  • Agencies must develop operational plans for preparing for and mitigating space weather events (180 days after operating concept publication)
  • Implementation of pilot program for grid protection devices after plan development
  • Ongoing coordination through NSTC subcommittee for policy development
  • Continuous improvement of operational space weather services and research-to-operations transitions

Risks & tensions

  • No dedicated funding appropriation specified; implementation 'subject to availability of appropriations' may limit execution
  • Multiple agencies with overlapping responsibilities (Defense and Commerce both have space weather observation/forecasting roles) could create coordination friction
  • Pilot program for grid protection devices lacks specified scale or geographic scope, leaving implementation uncertain
  • Sector-specific agency authority assessments may reveal significant legal gaps in government power to compel private infrastructure actions during emergencies
  • Open data release (Sec. 5(e)) may face classification or national security tensions with Defense Department mission requirements
  • Subcommittee reporting deadline depends on prior receipt of assessments, creating potential cascade delays if sector agencies are late
Executive Order 13744: Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events · Executive Orders