ITAR Harms Science
Space News made important points in its Nov. 17 editorial, “
Opportunity
for Export Reform“[page 18]. Export controls also have an adverse effect on university space research and space science.
They compromise the quality of education at
U.S.
universities and impede international scientific collaboration.
The National Academy of Sciences held a workshop on this issue in 2007, and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Issues and Program Committee prepared policy statements on the topic.
These include a 2008 resolution calling for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) reform that was voted on unanimously by USRA’s 102 member universities.
Dr. Frederick A. Tarantino
President &
CEO, USRA
