FIFTH ORBITER ISSUE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84M00395R000600060002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 25, 2007
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 9, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/O11f%lA-R DP84MOO395ROO060006000 ~$~ /,
Intelligence Community Staff
"asnington. D.C 20505
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15
DCI/ICS 82-3887
9 December 1982
MEMORANDUM FOR: Honorable Robert C. McFarlane
Deputy Assistant to the President
for Security Affairs
SUBJECT: Fifth Orbiter Issue
In response to your request at the 3 December 1982 SIG (Space)
Meeting, the attached DCI position on the fifth orbiter is provided.
UPON REMOVAL OF ATTACHMENT,
RECLASSIFY THIS MEMORANDUM
TO UNCLASSIFIED
SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/04/25: CIA-RDP84M00395ROO0600060002-8
 Approved For Release 2007:TCIA-R DP84M00395R000600060002-8
9 December 1982
DCI Position on Fifth Orbiter Issue
The DCI position is that our programs alone do not require a fifth
orbiter. From a national perspective, however, we are concerned about our
current lack of understanding of the long-term operability of the STS and the
potential impact of attrition. Because of this, the need exists to ensure
that the U.S. can adequately maintain an operational four orbiter fleet. This
requires some reserve capacity to cope with unforseen contingencies and a
capability to repair an orbiter after a major incident. Given these needs, we
do not believe it is wise to allow the STS orbiter production base to be shut
down completely. Alternative II, by maintaining limited orbiter production
capability, will preserve the nation's flexibility to respond to future needs
at a modest additional cost compared to Alternative I. Alternative II is our
recommended choice.
The DCI also notes that CIA has recently estimated that the Soviets are
undertaking a variety of new space programs that will result in a period of
rapid expansion.* Soviet space hardware costs are expected to reach the
equivalent of $12 Billion a year by 1986--double the current outlays. The
increased costs reflect
Achievement of a permanent Soviet presence in space
Advances in the technology available for intelligence collection,
photoreconnaissance, and military support satellites
- Expansion of navigation, data relay, communications, and weather
satellite networks
- Development of a reusable spacecraft, a reusable space transportation
system similar to the U.S. shuttle, two new space launch vehicles, and
increasing production of the largerst of the current Soviet space launchers
Approved ggi elease_2007/04/25: CIA-RDP84M00395R000600060002-8
 Approved For Release 2007/04/25: CIA-RDP84M00395R000600060002-8
SUBJECT: Fifth Orbiter Issue
Distribution: DCI/ICS 82-3887
Orig. - Addressee
1 - D/ICS
1 - DD/ICS
1 - OA&E/Subj
1 - OA&E/Chrono
1 - ICS ,,I,,00'- (:S Registry
DCI/ICS/OA&E
(9 December 1982)
roved For Release 2007/04/25: CIA-RDP84MOO395ROO0600060002-8