";s:4:"text";s:5337:" Along with a small group of American engineers, Campbell was there to help prepare for the launch, still more than a year away, of an American-built Intelsat satellite on a Chinese rocket.In the 1990s, U.S. satellite operators were still scrambling to buy rides on European and Chinese launchers following NASA’s decision to ban commercial payloads from the space shuttle in the wake of the 1986 Like many of his colleagues, Campbell had the background for working on sophisticated Western technology in remote and unfamiliar places. It wasn’t just the worry about espionage and the uncertainty over who might be listening in on them. It was the first major attack against a US target in over a decade in the South European country, following the dismantling of Greece's far-left November 17 terrorist group. “No,” the man replied. When I asked why he was willing to talk about it now, he answered, “The truth shall set you free.” Then he went on to tell the whole story. Campbell’s new acquaintance explained that he worked for the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which oversaw China’s Long March rockets. Intelsat had taken pains to soften the culture shock for its employees and contractors, paying for a top-to-bottom renovation of a small hotel, installing safety equipment, and even sending a pair of chefs from the San Francisco Marriott to cook for the Westerners.Still, in the year leading up to the launch, Campbell and others were troubled by some of the things they saw and heard during their visits to Xichang. Lesser sentences were handed to 10 others. Officers said the rocket, launched from a building across the street, left a large hole in the embassy almost half a meter deep. US ambassador Charles Reis said the damage was "not extensive." "We're treating it as a very serious attack and we will determine what it is when we know (more)," he said. The group was blamed for killing 23 people - including US, British and Turkish officials - and dozens of bomb attacks and was shut down in 2002. Like many of his colleagues, Campbell had the background for working on sophisticated Western technology in remote and unfamiliar places.