COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 29, 2008) - The Space Foundation announced today the publication of the white paper "ITAR and the U.S. Space Industry." The paper examines the effect of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which govern the export of space technology. Concerns about ITAR's impact on the business practices and cost structures of the space industry prompted the paper, which combines data from government and industry sources. The paper weighs the balance of vital national security measures and a healthy trade environment for the U.S. space economy as it competes in the world market.

"The Space Foundation believes the export regulations should be modernized to prevent further damage to the U.S. space industry and especially lower-tier suppliers," said Marty Hauser, vice president, Washington Operations, Research and Analysis. "These suppliers are the 'family farms' that are a major source of innovation. Our white paper recommends changes to improve U.S. competitiveness overseas while still protecting sensitive technology."

Findings of the report include the impact of ITAR compliance on companies of different sizes, the implications for the U.S. space economy, and the effect on space technology innovation here and abroad. The report proposes steps to modernize ITAR, enabling the regulations to accomplish their original purpose of protecting important security technologies while allowing more U.S. space companies to compete successfully in the global economy.

The Space Foundation's Research and Analysis enterprise provides information on civil, commercial, and national security space issues for policymakers, media, industry, academia, and the financial community. As a source of information on all sectors of space, Research and Analysis produces documents on the state of the space industry and facilitates communication between the media and key space industry leaders and policymakers.

The report is available for download at www.SpaceFoundation.org/docs/SpaceFoundation_ITAR.pdf.

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. A leader in space awareness activities, major industry events, and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom, the Space Foundation is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo. It conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation conducts Strategic Space and Defense 2008, from 6-8 October in Omaha, Neb. The 25th National Space Symposium, the premier annual gathering of the global space community, will take place March 30 - April 2, 2009, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.