Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents
  collectSPACE: Messages
  Opinions & Advice
  186244597610: Shuttle tile material and ITAR

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   186244597610: Shuttle tile material and ITAR
mode1charlie
Member

Posts: 1438
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 01-09-2024 01:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mode1charlie   Click Here to Email mode1charlie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I saw this space shuttle tile fragment on eBay and since my understanding is that all shuttle tile material is subject to ITAR restrictions on shipping, I reported it to eBay as such. I got a message back from them saying:
We looked into your report and didn't find the listing to be in violation of our policy. This determination was made by a customer service agent.
So my question is: Are these samples (as opposed to flown tile material) not subject to ITAR?

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 3016
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 01-09-2024 02:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Full tiles or flown tiles are typically ITAR. These commercial sale items sold in some NASA gift stores have been exempt from those requirements (I am assuming due to the size).

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 51645
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-09-2024 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I do not think size is a factor. This is not legal advice, but my understanding is that the differential is whether the item was actually made for use on the space shuttle or was produced separately as a example of such.

The tile samples sold in the NASA gift shops were either produced as test samples or specifically for sale to the public and so were not subject to ITAR.

The above tile presentation and ones like it were produced by Lockheed for distribution to the press at the STS-1 launch. Only the State Department could say for certain if it too is exempt from ITAR.

That all being said, unless they have changed their terms of service, it is not eBay's responsibility to enforce ITAR restrictions. Even if this was a clearly subject to export control, it would not be in violation of eBay's listing policies.

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 1999-2024 collectSPACE. All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a



advertisement