Dongfan "Greg" Chung developed a reputation as an innovator during his three decades as an engineer for Boeing Co. and Rockwell International.
Federal prosecutors say he was also a hardworking spy.
On Tuesday, Chung is scheduled to become the first person to stand trial under the Economic Espionage Act, which was passed more than a decade ago.
Prosecutors say the Chinese-born Chung, 73, stole hundreds of thousands of pages of highly sensitive documents on the U.S. space shuttle, Delta IV rockets and the C-17 military troop transport, then relayed the secrets to contacts in China.
He is free on $250,000 bail after pleading not guilty to eight counts of economic espionage, three counts of lying to a federal agent and one count each of conspiracy, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction of justice.
