ILS is a US company and I havent heard of any Protons getting launch licenses from the FAA.
Not according to their website:"Is a complete launch service organization comprised of about 65 professionals dedicated to performance, excellence, and customer satisfactionProvides sales, marketing, mission management, launch operations, legal, licensing, and technical translation services.Was founded in 1995. Since then, ILS has launched over 80 commercial Proton rockets.Is a subsidiary of Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev). Khrunichev has launched over 390 Proton rockets."
There is no way in any definition that Proton is a US launch vehicle.
Gotcha. Just surprising that the FAA would have jurisdiction in foreign countries or international waters just because the company is American. It is also another example of a government agency clearly in the pocket of the organizations it is meant to regulate.
Sure there is. Buy the Proton. Add 100% profit plus launch operations and you have an american rocket. Just look at what Orbital sciences is doing.OK Orbital does some own work. But first stage engines and first stage tank are foreign. The Cygnus pressure vessel is foreign. Domestic is the second stage and the satellite bus that steers Cygnus,
Cygnus doesn't matter, it is the spacecraft.
Quote from: Jim on 01/09/2015 11:50 amCygnus doesn't matter, it is the spacecraft.Are you serious?
If we keep talking about how much of Antares is (was) american, the thread is doomed.Which is a shame, since it's a good topic.
If we keep talking about how much of Antares is (was) american, the thread is doomed.
Back to barges, and ignoring (as the OP asked) the very significant technical issues, legally it would be the same as launching from US land.