Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!sumax!thebes!polari!crad
From: crad@polari.UUCP (Charles Radley)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: LLNL Astronaut Delivery (was Re: You Can't Expect a Space Station)
Message-ID: <2677@polari.UUCP>
Date: 8 Nov 90 04:07:04 GMT
References: <9011061342.AA16405@iti.org> <2669@polari.UUCP> <1990Nov7.175448.17819@zoo.toronto.edu>
Organization: Seattle Online Public Unix (206) 328-4944
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Payload Systems did indeed slip through the net.   What I mean by
that is that they did obtain an export license, but  the license
was issued by the Department of Commerce, and not by the Department
of State.    The latter was extremely annoyed, and had strong words
to say to the Dept of Commerce. 
It is now highly unlikely that Commerce will want to incurr the wrath of
State again, and are not likely to issue any more licenses without State's
approval.
  Ref USBI and CYSA - there were lots of reports in the media in the
summer that  an export license had been issued to USBI.   However, I
never saw a formal announcement.   I attended the Vandeburg Space
Week conference at the end of July, where Norman Bowles, Associate
Director of Licensing Programs at the Department of 
Transportation stated strongly that the reports in the media were
incorrect, and that no formal approval had been given.
  I still have not seen a formal announcement.     Have you ?
 
If on the other hand, USBI did get a license, then it sets a significant precedent.   I will investigate the possibility of buying stock in CYSA and/or
USBI, since with low cost soviets launch vehicles, they cost to orbit
will be unassailable.