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Space Shuttle Secrets Stolen For China

Ponca City, We Love You writes "The Department of Justice has announced the indictment of former Boeing engineer Dongfan Chung on charges of economic espionage in the theft of company trade secrets relating to the Space Shuttle, the C-17 military transport aircraft, and the Delta IV rocket. Chung is a native of China and a naturalized US citizen. According to the indictment, Chinese aviation industry representatives began sending Chung 'tasking' letters as early as 1979. Over the years, the letters directed Chung to collect specific technological information, including data related to the Space Shuttle and various military and civilian aircraft. Chung allegedly responded in one letter indicating a desire to contribute to the 'motherland,' the DOJ said. It was not immediately clear how much, if any, damage the alleged espionage did to US national security but DOJ officials said the cases reflect the determination of the Chinese government to penetrate US intelligence and obtain vital national defense secrets. 'Today's prosecution demonstrates that foreign spying remains a serious threat in the post-Cold War world,' said Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security"

11 of 473 comments (clear)

  1. Not the Space Shuttle! by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't know how we can recover from the Chinese gaining the secrets of the 1 MHz computers, and two billion dollar per-launch "reusable" technology. Ah well, the US probably stole that advanced technology from the crashed aliens anyway. It's only fair.

    --
    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
    1. Re:Not the Space Shuttle! by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ah well, the US probably stole that advanced technology from the crashed aliens anyway.

      The first indication that this was a bad idea should have been that the alien had crashed...

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    2. Re:Not the Space Shuttle! by CheshireCatCO · · Score: 2, Funny

      I understand the shuttle program, now: it was a massive plan to set the Chinese space agency back 20 years and billions of dollars by copying a crappy piece of technology! And only for the cost of, shit, billions of dollars and about 30 years. Well, it's a good try anyway.

  2. This is really bad! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Up to now, China was finding it very difficult to get their vehicles to explode.

    These secrets will put them decades ahead in this area.

  3. No Problemo by DigiShaman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Should the Chinese develop warpdrive technology, we'll be sure to pass along the info to the USA.

    Tit for Tat.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
  4. And at what point do we close the doors on them. by LoadWB · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seriously. At what point do we consider a country so dangerous that we will not longer do business with it? When do we finally say "go screw yourself" to dangerous governments?

    Continuing to do business with China is like having a Gremlin as a pet. Or having a stuffed clown in your bedroom. Anyone growing up in the 80s will tell you those are two VERY big no-nos.

  5. It's a bad sign by tsotha · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently the Chinese have stolen all the information they want on how to do things. Now they're down to stealing information on how not to do a space program.

  6. Re:too much by arth1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    They have lie detector tests in CIA? If you can't lie well enough, you get fired?

  7. Re:Why is it always China? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Seriously? China's ongoing pillage of the U.S. education system?

  8. Re:too much by nuzak · · Score: 5, Funny

    > periodic lie detector tests

    Yeah, they should also undergo phrenology and palmistry exams too.

    --
    Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
  9. Oh man by gerddie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bribing someone to get information - that's so last millennium. Real man just seize laptops at the immigration check point and ask politely for all the passwords.