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This is probably illegal
Hi, I'm fairly certain this is illegal and violates export control provisions in ITAR([International Traffic in Arms Regulations](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22)).
It is classified as a manpad and not a hobby rocket since it has active controls
It does not fall under a carveout for the public domain. Even if you design and build it yourself, that information is not automatically in the public domain.It only becomes public-domain technical data if it is published through one of those recognized channels or approved for public release. The only way this publication might be legal is if it is done through **fundamental** research at a university.
Now, since this would be classified as a manpad and therefore on the US munitions list, and you don't have a license for export, it would be illegal and punishable by up to 20 year...
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Developer & User Discourse
6d8 • Mar 21, 2026
> So is screwing kids on a private island, but apparently the government is fine with that.
Somehow I don't think that will do very much to convince the judge if an ITAR suit happens.
Somehow I don't think that will do very much to convince the judge if an ITAR suit happens.
Achraffahmy • Mar 21, 2026
If it has no detonation charge, it's not a weapon! You skimmed through the text you posted above, to make the case why it's illegal to share this here, and skipped portions of the same text that identify prohibition, as you probably found them inconvenient to making your case of illegality!
jweder07 • Mar 21, 2026
What exact sections are those? I’ve tried very hard to find reasons why this would be legal, since it’s quite strange that a school project is subject to export control. Please help me out
6d8 • Mar 21, 2026
> If it has no detonation charge, it's not a weapon! You skimmed through the text you posted above, to make the case why it's illegal to share this here, and skipped portions of the same text that identify prohibition, as you probably found them inconvenient to making your case of illegality!
ITAR doesn't restrict weapons; it restricts sharing information that could be used to _make_ weapons or otherwise advance military goals. This has famously been used in the past to restrict sharing encryption source code, which is obviously not a weapon itself.
It also is vague by design, ending up prohibiting a lot of innocuous things with the intent of discouraging people from trying to bypass the regulations with technicalities. Those innocuous cases, while technically illegal, are basically never prosecuted. This project is explicitly about creating something for military use, and is unlikely to be given such leniency.
ITAR doesn't restrict weapons; it restricts sharing information that could be used to _make_ weapons or otherwise advance military goals. This has famously been used in the past to restrict sharing encryption source code, which is obviously not a weapon itself.
It also is vague by design, ending up prohibiting a lot of innocuous things with the intent of discouraging people from trying to bypass the regulations with technicalities. Those innocuous cases, while technically illegal, are basically never prosecuted. This project is explicitly about creating something for military use, and is unlikely to be given such leniency.
So is screwing kids on a private island, but apparently the government is fine with that.