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A comment on James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in space, million miles away. Parent comment

Re:James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in spa... by cronix on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @12:34PM (#30074864)
It's not unfounded, and they knew about it before it ever flew once. A family member was in the CIA at the time (later at NSA and RAND) and played a role after they were sent to the USSR after graduating college to study Russian (paid for by CIA, they know 8 languages). They translated the technical Russian Buran plans/documents and decoded them for our scientists to compare to their own, as well as help slip design flaws into plans they knew would get stolen (because they knew who was stealing them from Nasa). They met with the president over the issue multiple times. True story. They were also involved in every stealth program until they retired in the early 2k's. They were in the pentagon when the plane struck on 9/11. I really wish I could get them to talk more or write a book lol. [Using "they" to avoid gendering family member]

The Soviets (at the time) didn't "copy" it. They stole the plans and made it from them, adding in a few alterations, although the plans they stole were purposefully flawed.

If you're up for it, you can visit the Buran's in their final resting place in Baikonur. They're just sitting there rotting away. Here's a video of some kids who broke in and had some fun exploring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q7ZVXOU3kM

Article about the Soviet's espionage to get the plans: https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/12/buran-how-russia-stole-t...

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Re:James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in spa... by FredPret on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @02:31PM (#30076795)
There’s a fantastic book about the stealth program by the former director of the Skunk Works, Ben Rich
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Re:James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in spa... by aksss on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @02:04PM (#30076393)
In re the youtube vid, that's a flippin' huge hanger. Crazy that this stuff is sitting dormant.
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Re:James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in spa... by wolverine876 on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @05:34PM (#30079078)
They told you about these highly classified operations?
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Re:James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in spa... by cronix on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @10:12PM (#30081206)
It's not classified anymore (I linked to a story that gives more info than I did), and you can be sure they won't tell me most details of things I ask about. If you think they sit there and tell me state secrets, think again lol. They're quite frustrating to talk to about this kind of stuff with because they won't answer most questions, or answer vaguely, and give absolutely no visual or audio indication of what they're thinking or what the answer might be. No wink-wink nod-nod. Completely dead-pan. You don't get to the level they were at by not understanding what you can and can't talk about. They don't slip up when drinking. They're still active in the community in the public sector side post retiring.
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