TRANSMITTAL OF (SANITIZED) THE POTENTIAL FOR THE TRANSFER OF US SPACE TECHNOLOGY TO THE SOVIET UNION -- KEY JUDGMENTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00423R000400480016-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2009
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: November 26, 1984
• Content Type: LETTER

SECRET b e C&9..a
Approved For Release 2009/02/27 : CIA-R DP89B00423R000400480016-3
Central Intelligence Agency NIC 06634-84
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 2050!1
The National Foreign Intelligence Roard has authorized distribution
f
o
The Potential for the Transfer of ]IS Space Technology to the
25X1
Soviet Union. This alerts recipients to the fact that US space
25X1
technology not controlled for National security, foreign policy, or
competitive reasons, has been and, under current circumstances, will continue
to be acquired and used by the Soviets to the benefit of their military and
non-military space programs. The Estimate also concludes that there are
significantly increased risks of losing controlled technology whenever it is
shared with our allies. These and other key findings of the Estimate
indicate, in my view and that of the NFIR, the urgent need to review and, in
all likelihood, revise our policies in this area.
The NFIR is especially concerned that cooperative programs with our
allies and private industry, often undertaken to help defray the direct costs
of our space program, have posed, and will continue to pose, a severe
technology transfer problem which has the effect of saving the Soviets
considerable time and money in their own space program. This, in turn,
impacts on our own defense needs and costs. ?i
Tighter control on space technology is likely to result in a significant
loss of participation in our space program by our allies and private
industry. On the other hand, possible additional revenue for our space
program from bilateral cooperation with our allies could result in greater
risks and greater costs for defense against weapons based on technology
transferred to the USSR.
he Potential for the Transfer
of [IS Space Technology to the Soviet Union
cc: Vice President
Secretary of State
Secretary of nefense
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs