OP is a useful overview of the relevant regulations.

And in case anyone disputes the need for regulations, it's worth remembering that any rocket that can put a payload into orbit — any size of payload — is de facto an ICBM: not a very good ICBM by modern military standards, but an adequate one. Expecting your government to pay no attention to your microsat launcher is like expecting them to ignore the unlicensed tank factory in their back yard.

Highly editorialized title. The original (sane) title is So You Want to Launch a Rocket? The FAA is Here for You.

This is especially eggregious given the overall positive tone of the post, see:

The point is, you do need federal permission to launch a rocket from the United States. And, if you are a U.S. citizen or other entity you need FAA approval to launch anywhere in the world. The Commercial Space Launch Act says so. You also need permission to reenter a reentry vehicle or operate a spaceport. The one thing my protégé had wrong, however, is that you don’t need a license—or even an experimental permit—to launch a toy rocket or even a somewhat large amateur rocket.

The expensive problem is having enough liability insurance for the worst case. Space-X originally launched from a Pacific island until they had their rocket working reasonably well.

Hobbyist rockets have a mass limit and a thrust limit.[1] Low-powered rockets, below those limits, have few regulations. As mass and thrust increase, the restrictions increase. Above 1 lb, you're an airspace user and have to talk to the FAA. Not much of a problem in rural areas far from an airport. Heavily restricted in controlled airspace. Reasonable enough.

Remember, if it can't reach escape velocity, it's going to come down somewhere. At high velocity.

Mojave Air and Space Port is supportive of people testing strange air vehicles. [2] Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, and the National Test Pilot School are all out there.

[1] https://www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/section-guidebook/laws... [2] https://www.mojaveairport.com/

There are always ways around the law for those creative enough. All it takes is one unregulated launch to put up a 'cold' ICBM in orbit, which would be effective insurance against any and all regulatory action. It's a vicious sort of realpolitik, but it would likely work.

Just wait until someone surreptitiously puts up a whole network of sleeper nukes into orbit. One weird trick to become world emperor, eh?

A good sci-fi plot, since it's likely do-able by private firms in the near to medium term.

That said there are more mundane ways to escape. However those come with their own risks (ask Gerald Bull how his attempt turned out).

The note at the end is somewhat important. If you are deciding where to incorporate your startup and you are not a US citizen, ITAR is a good reason to avoid the USA. YC generally suggests US incorporation but it has real downsides, and exporting of technology is restricted.

What happens if I go to Russians?

The site's title for the post is "So You Want to Launch a Rocket? The FAA is Here for You."

HN title has been editorialized to "Launching a rocket? The US Govt will have its hooks into you."