Ok after a few years work I think I've pretty much covered all the bases on the legalities of an orbital launch. I want to throw this out there and see if anyone thinks I've missed something and also to help others understand the undertaking required for the infrastructure to actually attempt it. #1 Local regulations and permits. First you have to check your launch site county laws and regulations for a launch site. It is a bit more complicated than that to select a launch depending on what way your are approaching the FAA for a launch permit. If you are going for an "Experimental Launch Permit" and I will include that in the FAA section. Local Fire Marshal and compliance with NFPA Code 1127 this is a national code but it get's resolved on the local level. You also have to resolve any other issues in the county of choice and come into compliance. #2 State laws regulations and permits. The DOT has to be dealt with to insure compliance with state regulations of transport of hazardous materials such as rocket propellant and explosives and obtain the proper permits permits. I'm familiar with Texas regulations so I wont go into that because it's going to be different for every state but every state has regulations and you must comply with your states regulations. #3 Federal Regulations FCC you need permits to operate your transmitters and so you must comply. BATF Explosive permits and manufacturing permits. DOD I know my planned launch site has interference with military operations is the same airspace and therefor I'll have to deal with the DOD on that level your launch site may not. FAA top of my list is the 50 million bond insurance (last time I checked). There are plenty of requirements for an experimental launch permit and the only other one that is expensive or difficult is the environmental impact survey. Which could cost a million or more. My chosen site was once a bombing practice zone so the government does a yearly survey that is public so that solves that issue for me. There is plenty more to the FAA permit but you can read that yourself. There is an export tax whenever anything leaves the country (including satellites) and this requires a licensed export broker. #4 United Nations You have to file with the united nations for a satellite permit. So in a nutshell. I can expand on any portion of this if anyone's interested. If you think I left something out let me know I just flung this out off the top of my head but I think I covered all the basses? Monroe