Jun 8 1984
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(New page: Addressing a conference on "Space, Our Next Frontier," sponsored by the Dallas-based think tank National Center for Policy Analysis, retired Lt. Col. Thomas H. Krebs, former chief of the D...)
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Addressing a conference on "Space, Our Next Frontier," sponsored by the Dallas-based think tank National Center for Policy Analysis, retired Lt. Col. Thomas H. Krebs, former chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) space systems branch, said that the Soviet Union had obtained blueprints for the Space Shuttle and would within a year or two launch an or-biter that was an "identical copy." He said that U.S. military experts were not sure how the Soviets obtained the plans but were certain that the Soviet vehicle was made within U.S. blueprints. He indicated that it was likely that they had bought a copy of the Space Shuttle plans. "We've seen the [Soviet] orbiter, and it's identical to ours," Krebs pointed out. "I can't tell how far along they are, but in a year or two you can expect to see one launched.
Krebs said that the Soviets improved on the U.S. design by adding engines to the bottom of the external fuel tank, thereby increasing the tonnage the Shuttle could carry into orbit. "The Space Shuttle was totally unclassified. Anyone could buy a set of plans. However, no one has been able to find the requisition," he said.
In Washington, DIA sources speaking off the record said that they knew nothing specifically about the Soviets obtaining Shuttle blueprints. (W Post, June 8/84, A-4)
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