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Nuclear deterrence and the military uses of space

Journal Article · · Daedalus (Boston); (United States)
OSTI ID:5286122
A review of US and Soviet military space activities in the postwar period considers the problem of defense against land- and sea-based ballistic missiles. Intercontinental and submarine launched ballistic missiles (ICBMs and SLBMs) represent the current threat to the US, and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) is therefore concentrating its research on ballistic missile defense (BMD). While the strategy involved in SDI is a radical departure from past thinking, the technology that underlies it is the direct and logical result of research and development. York concludes that the effort to solve the national security dilemma by technical means has so far made matters worse by increasing the number of warheads. Past technological successes pitted man against nature, while the SDI involves a struggle of man against man.
Research Organization:
Univ. of California, San Diego
OSTI ID:
5286122
Journal Information:
Daedalus (Boston); (United States), Journal Name: Daedalus (Boston); (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN DAEDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English