ITAR regulations prevent discovery of life on Mars

Some NASA scientists were on the Hill this week, moaning about the ITAR and its effect on the competitiveness of the US space program.

They're right of course.

Over at Clif Burn's website there was recently a debate about whether providing potatoes to a foreign navy was tantamount to the furnishing of assistance to a foreign military and thus constituted a defense service (because the navy can't run unless the sailors eat, and they're the ones that operate the ship...etc.). What is this world we live in where such an argument actually makes sense? However, the ITAR is crafted so broadly, one can make this argument and *almost* everyone will take it seriously. Or at least give it serious consideration.

Even absent the breadth of the ITAR in defining what is and isn't a defense article or service, when dealing with space applications nearly everything is under ITAR jurisdiction. So I can imagine NASA's frustration as they try to outsource to collaborate with India.

Of course, if you don't want to hassle with the US Government, you can buy your very own ITAR-Free satellite system.