united-states european-union open-source-software research itar
Open source rocket development
<p>Is it possible to collaborate openly (publicly) world-wide with others to develop a suborbital/orbital capable rocket/launcher and to publish the resulting know-how (both software and hardware)? There are laws that restricts exports of arms (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Traffic_in_Arms_Regulations" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ITAR</a> in US, similar in EU) which may apply to publishing such info.</p>
<p>It looks like ITAR does not care about information that is <a href="https://www.unr.edu/sponsored-projects/compliance/export-controls/publicly-available" rel="nofollow noreferrer">publicly available</a> (ITAR <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/22/120.11" rel="nofollow noreferrer">paragraph 120.11</a>) but I am not sure if I understand it correctly. Can someone confirm?</p>
<p>These questions may be related:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/itar">ITAR tag on Space Exploration SE</a></li>
<li><a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/41212/trade-restrictions-on-open-source-software">Trade restrictions on open source software</a></li>
<li><a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/32981/do-international-sanctions-have-an-impact-on-open-source-software">Do international sanctions have an impact on Open Source Software?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://space.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1031/why-cant-i-ask-my-question-about-amateur-space-projects-and-development">Why can't I ask my question about amateur space projects and development?</a></li>
</ul>

<h2>It’s perfectly legal for private individuals and organisations to develop rockets</h2>
<p>Just like it’s legal for them to develop aircraft or motor vehicles. Space X, Boeing and BMW are all private organisations.</p>
<p>While any of these could be used as weapon delivery systems, they aren’t weapons.</p>
<p>There are a bunch of laws and regulations that they must comply with, but that’s true of any business.</p>
