This document discusses the challenges of navigating International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance on complex international projects like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). There are over 130 Technical Assistance Agreements required due to the large number of international partners and subcontractors involved. Full project meetings and data/information sharing require careful registration and documentation to remain ITAR compliant. The Next Generation Integrated Network is the tool developed for JWST to manage ITAR-controlled data. Consistently interpreting and applying ITAR regulations across all entities remains difficult.

1. Navigating Through ITAR Cross Currents
Jim Frost,
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), International Project /
Logistics Specialist / Export Control Manager,
SGT, Inc.
February 25th, 2009

2. Who Am I
• Since 2000, the Export Control Manager for the JWST Project at NASA
Goddard
– Graduated from the University of Maryland, 1984
– 25 years of experience in the Aerospace business
• Mostly at GSFC/NASA and in Logistics (as opposed to
Engineering & Law)
• Previous project or management positions:
– Logistics Manager, Hubble Servicing Missions No. 1 & 2
– Traffic Manager, NASA GSFC
– Export Control Officer, NASA GSFC
• Provided significant logistics and export contribution to success of the
HST, UARS, EUVE, TRMM, POES, POES MetOp, COBE missions at
NASA GSFC
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• Currently the GSFC Center Export Auditor (Since 2004)

3. What is the ITAR?
• International Traffic In Arms Regulations –
It is the control of the export and import of items
determined by the United States to be defense articles
and services.
– This is managed by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
(DDTC) of the U.S. Department of State
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4. Why Is the ITAR Important?
• Lack of compliance can result in large fines and/or prison
time to entities and individuals involved
• Lack of compliance can result in difficulty obtaining
project licenses through the U.S. Department of State
• Compliance issues can result in negative publicity and
negative press
• ITAR issues can result in schedule risk and/or project
delays
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5. JWST Mockup @ GSFC 2005
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6. JWST Overview & Points of International
Exchange
Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) – GSFC ISIM Radiators- NGST/Ball
•Structure – GSFC/ATK
•Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)- JPL & ESA/European Optical Telescope Element (OTE) – NGST/Ball
Consortium
•Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)- ESA/Astrium
•Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) – U of Arizona/LMATC
•Fine Guidance Sensor / Tunable Filter (FGS)–
CSA/COM DEV
Backplane Structure – NGST/ATK
ISIM Electronics Compartment (IEC)- GSFC
Deployment Tower - NGST
Sunshield – NGST
Membrane – NGST/SRS
Spacecraft - NGST
MIRI Cryocooler – JPL/NGST Launch Vehicle & Adapter- ESA/Arianespace
Instrument C&DH - GSFC
Overall Observatory - NGST
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7. JWST Integrated Science Instrument
Module (ISIM)
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8. Near Infrared Spectrograph
(NIRSpec)
European Contribution
ESA/ESTEC Customer
JWST Project Office
SSTL Integrated Field Unit (IFU)
MSSL Calibration Assembly (CAA)
Calibration & Illumination Light Sources (CLS)
Auxiliary OGSE
CSL Cryotesting of Optics
(subcontract to SAGEM) TERMA Data Handling & Analysis System (DHAS)
SAGEM Fore Optics (FOR) Polishing
TNO Calibration of CAA/CLS
Collimator Optics (COL) Polishing (subcontract to MSSL)
Camera Optics (CAM) Polishing
Flat Spherical Mirror Polishing
Astrium GmbH Prime Contractor
CRAL Science Support
OTE Simulator
Instrument Performance Simulator (IPS)
Zeiss Optronic Grating Wheel Assembly (GWA)
BOOSTEC Silicon Carbide (SiC) Parts
Filter Wheel Assembly (FWA)
Astrium SAS SiC Design Support
IABG EMC/Vibration Test Facility
Cryogenic Test Facility
AAE Grating and Filter Wheel Mechanisms
CRISA Instrument Control Electronics (ICE) (subcontract to ZEISS)
ICE Application Software (ICSW)
CASA Optical Assembly Internal Harness (OAIH) APCO Mechanical Ground Support Equiment
IberEspacio Optical Assembly Thermal Hardware/Cover (MGSE)
Optical Bench Kinematic Mount (OBKM)
NASA/GSFC JWST Project Office GALILEO Refocus Mechanism Assembly (RMA)
Spacecraft
Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM)
Detector Subsystem 8
Microshutter Subsystem

9. Mid- Infrared (MIRI) European
Consortium Participation
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10. CSA Fine Guidance Sensor
Participation
Canadian Space Agency
Canadian Space Agency
University of Alberta
University of Alberta (HQ)
(HQ)
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta MDA
MDA
Universite de Montreal
Universite de Montreal
Montreal Quebec
Montreal Quebec
Com Dev
Com Dev
University of Ottawa Bomem
Bomem
NRC of Canada University of Ottawa
NRC of Canada INO
INO
(Herzberg Institute of
(Herzberg Institute of CSA David Florida Lab
CSADavid Florida Lab
Quebec City Quebec
Astrophysics)
Astrophysics) Ottawa Ontario
Ottawa Ontario Quebec City Quebec
Victoria British Columbia
Victoria British Columbia
University of Toronto
University of Toronto St Mary’ University
Mary’s
Toronto Ontario St Mary’s University
Toronto Ontario Halifax Nova Scotia
Halifax Nova Scotia
Com Dev
Com Dev Corning Netoptix
Cambridge Ontario Corning Netoptix
Cambridge Ontario Keene New Hampshire
Keene New Hampshire
Teledyne Imaging Systems
Teledyne Imaging Systems Rochester University
Camarillo California Rochester University
Camarillo California Rochester New York
Rochester New York AURA //STScI
AURA STScI
Baltimore Maryland
Baltimore Maryland
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University of Arizona
University of Arizona
Tucson Arizona
Tucson Arizona

11. ESA / Arianespace Launch Team Participation
• 1. Oerlikon Space
Switzerland
Fairing
• 2. EADS Astrium ST
France
Dual launch structure
• 3. EADS CASA
Spain
Adapters
• SAAB Space
Sweden
Adapters
• 4. EADS CASA
Spain
3936 cone
• 5. EADS Astrium ST
Germany
Vehicle equipment bay
• 6. EADS Astrium ST
Germany
Upper stage
• 7. Snecma groupe SAFRAN
France
Engine of cryogenic upper stage
• 8. EADS CASA
Spain
Inter stage structure
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12. ESA / Arianespace Launch Team Participation
9. MT Aerospace
Germany
Forward skirt of main cryogenic stage and solid propellant
motor cases
10. EADS Astrium ST
France
Main cryogenic stage
11. EADS Astrium ST
France
Solid Rocket Boosters
12. Europropulsion
France
Solid rocket motor
13. Avio Regulus
Italy French Guiana
Solid rocket insulation Solid propellant
14. SABCA
Belgium
Forward and rear skirts of boosters
15. Dutch Space
Netherlands
Main engine frame
16. Snecma groupe SAFRAN
France 12
Engine of main cryogenic stage and nozzles of solid
rocket motor

13. ESA / Arianespace Launch Team Participation;
JWST Launch Team Interfaces / TAA Signatory(s)
1. European Space Agency (ESA)
2. Arianespace (Launch Provider)
3. Astrium S.A. (System Studies/FSW Engineering)
4. Astrium Gmbh (Payload separation shock tests)
5. Astrium Ltd. (Launch services for auxiliary
payloads)
6. Centre National d’ Etudes Spatiales (Coordinate
activities of Guyana Space Center)
7. Dassault Aviation, SA (Pyrotechnical Equipment)
8. EADS-CASA Espaciao, S.L. (Payload Adapters and
Separation Systems)
9. GECI Systems S.A. (Launcher / Satellite Coupled
Analysis)
10. Intespace S.A. (Launch services for shock tests)
11. Oerlikon Space AG (Launch services for fairings)
12. Ruag Space AB (Clamp Bands and Adapters)
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14. Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA)
• Defined: An Agreement (e.g. contract) for the
performance of a defense service(s) or the
disclosure of technical data, as opposed to an
agreement granting a right or license to manufacture
defense articles…
• Defense Service (Technical Assistance): The
furnishing of assistance (including training) to
foreign persons, whether in the United States or
abroad in the design, development, engineering,
manufacture, production, assembly, testing, repair,
maintenance, modification, operation, demilitarization,
destruction, processing or use of defense articles
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15. JWST TAA TALLY
• As of early January 2009, there are over 130 planned,
approved, executed (and a few started and discontinued)
TAA(s) for JWST
• We currently have 8 hardware licenses in support of sub-
assembly(s) and parts being acquired by our
international partners
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16. So Why Are There So Many TAA(s)
on JWST?
• There are approximately 30-35 U.S. company(s)
involved on JWST
– These company(s) range from the Observatory team, Operations
and Science, Support Service Contract Teams
• The European Space Agency and Canadian Space
Agency do not want to be on each other’s TAA(s)
– A “reluctant” signatory from one of the teams could hold up
exchange to the other instrument teams
• The international instrument teams (consortiums) can be
large
– This makes putting two ESA instruments on the same TAA
impractical
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17. So Why Are There So Many TAA(s)
on JWST (cont’d)?
• A JWST contractor who is active among all three
international instruments would require a minimum of 3
instrument TAA(s)
• Many of the embedded system engineering type support
service contractors have subcontractors
– Due to liability reasons, these prime contractors typically will not
cover their subcontractors on their own TAA(s)
– Therefore, each subcontractor has minimum of three TAA(s)
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18. So Why Are There So Many TAA(s)
on JWST (cont’d)?
• Due to the length of the JWST project, it is possible to
have 3+ different GSFC support service contractors
awarded the same contract over the life of JWST.
– They would all have their own TAA(s) as well as their
subcontractors
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19. Challenges Presented by
Full Project Technical Meetings
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20. JWST Partner’s Workshops, Design Reviews,
Technical Interchange Meetings
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21. JWST Partner’s Workshops, Design Reviews,
Technical Interchange Meetings
What are the considerations?
• Everybody must register! No exceptions!
– Individuals have dual and/or third country citizenship
– Country of birth is a consideration
• Do the necessary industry participants have TAA(s)?
• Make all meetings “international” in nature
• What you may not consider, i.e. facility staff nationality?
• Expect cultural challenges
• War stories
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22. Next Generation Integrated Network (NGIN),
JWST’s Data Management Tool For ITAR Compliance
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23. Next Generation Integrated Network (NGIN),
JWST’s Data Management Tool For ITAR Compliance, (Cont’d)
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24. Next Generation Integrated Network (NGIN),
JWST’s Data Management Tool For ITAR Compliance, (Cont’d)
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25. Next Generation Integrated Network (NGIN),
Sample Cover Sheet With Improved ITAR Banner
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26. ITAR: Final Thoughts & Observations
• Interpreting and applying the ITAR regulations is
hard! No two U.S. entities interpret the ITAR the
same way
• Always “have a good legal story” (legal authority)
for all actions involving exchange with an
international partner, as well as release into the
public domain
• Projects do not operate in a vacuum; if there are
non-compliance issues with ITAR within an entity,
it will reveal itself eventually 26

27. ITAR: Final Thoughts & Observations (Cont’d)
• Project personnel deep down understand the need for
some measure of restriction of exchange of technical
data
– These are the individuals that I do not worry about
with respect to ITAR compliance, and avoiding any
large fines and/or jail
• Compliance of the U.S. Export Control laws is not just for
times of convenience; it really is mandatory always
– To the credit of the JWST project at GSFC, JWST
instilled a culture of compliance during Project
Formulation
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28. ITAR: Final Thoughts & Observations (Cont’d)
• Telephone participation in technical meetings can be a
big challenge with respect to ITAR compliance
• Consider a remark on top of standard ITAR statements
to explain in layman's terms what the ITAR statement
stands for.
– Example: For U.S. Persons / U.S. Permanent
Residents (“Green Card”) Holders Only
• NASA International Partners do not think much of the
ITAR
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