Hi Samudra,
No, it's not a doom and gloom attitude anymore within AMSAT-NA. We understand more today than we did two years ago. It's just that most AMSAT-NA satellite builders were unaware of ITAR issues related to satellites, and just what can and cannot be done to be compliant. Export controlled munitions under ITAR is not something an Amateur Radio satellite builder would normally ever consider applies to them. AMSAT-NA is working to create a compliance training program for its satellite builders (NOT general AMSAT-NA members).
So like any law, in any country, it needs to be first understood, its applicability considered and if it applies, then complied with.
But you being a legal permanent resident can be involved with AMSAT-NA satellite projects. Foreign nationals cannot unless permitted by a State Department approved agreement such as a TAA (Technical Assistance Agreement).
But ALL US citizens and foreign permanent residents must be very careful about the more sinister part of ITAR called DEEMED EXPORTS. That's where you discuss certain ITAR controlled satellite hardware or technology issues with a foreign national, with which you do not not have a State Department technical exchange agreement, whether this foreign national is in this country or you contact them by phone, internet or other forms of communication. So while you can work on an AMSAT-NA satellite project that has aspects controlled by ITAR, because you are a legal permanent resident, you can't email your parents, if they are foreign nationals, to discuss those ITAR restricted subjects, whether they are in the US or a foreign country. If you do, it is "deemed to be exported" without ITAR approval and serious penalties can result.
As stated earlier, ITAR applies equally to universities, NASA, members of the military except when specific State Department exemptions/agreements are in place.
Regards...Bill - N6GHz
Samudra Haque wrote:
On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 8:38 PM, Bill Ress [email protected] wrote: This continues to be a real sore spot with
University research programs on things related to satellites or any of the areas subject to ITAR. It's get especially tricky when students, which are foreign nationals, try to become involved.
Greg D. wrote:
I wonder if we could hook up with a university somewhere? Become part of their graduate program in Astro-something, even get some graduate students to help with the design and manufacture... What sort of restrictions do they have on the definition of a "student"?
Just a thought,
Greg KO6TH
Hi, I fall into that category (at present) - and did not have any issue with my affiliation with AMU and recent contact with JPL on education matters etc. I beg to differ with the doom and gloom everywhere I see at AMSAT, Bill.
Point: If you are studying at US School, you are either a resident of the USA or a visitor. All F-1, J-1 Visa holders are visitors. And they should not be involved in any high technology subjects that are not within the purview of a published syllabus by their academic institution. Their academic advisors would need to arrange which technologies they work with, and what restrictions they will fall under.
- I don't think these students would be able to find time to join an
AMSAT hobby, but if so, why not, as long as they don't go near a satellite tech project and stay limited to user mode.
Point: If you are a US Lawful Permanent Resident, ITAR applies and you are OK Point: If you are a Citizen, ITAR applies and you are OK Point: If you are a foreign citizen: please don't apply for any ITAR job, and be *very* careful about what you get your hands on while in the US borders.
Note: Universities may be able to obtain permission to incorporate students into ITAR research areas, but that is probably because they have a good reason to do so (academic campus, partnerships and so on). This should have nothing to do with AMSAT ever.
What is left is that if we are (amsat-na) limited to sourcing talent from USA citizens and USA residents, what is the problem here? To be ITAR compliant, make a self-certification and have it reviewed by the organisation wanting to work with you.
If it was the case that we could not find talent in the USA (hello...) then I would be worried. Besides, I'm surprised that you are not seeming to take any account of the numerous foreign students who come to the US and obtain legal residency after they graduate, and then they stay as an LPR for about 5 years, during which they are ITAR compliant and can work with us.
So, why worry ? http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/366112/32/ARTCL/none/EXECW/1/ITAR-vio...
If any AMSAT-xx body wants to help AMSAT-NA that is of course allowed and welcome under ITAR, through a TAA; what is wrong with that ? They can choose to divulge their technology or not, or give cash or not, as long as the payload flies. For AMSAT-xx wanting help from AMSAT-NA, then I don't see why they need to be given access to our tech, keeping in mind the current ITAR regime, unless it was a for a joint development where they have something, we have something. Then again the big question is "where is the integration" taking place ? In the US or abroad ?
Still the big question (for me) is can AMSAT encourage more to join and volunteer/donate so that US ITAR folks (citizens and LPR) can fly more missions !
Or, better still, is there a job market for ITAR compliant folks who want to design spacecraft ?