"A story on a conservative media site is claiming that the Bush Administration will ask Congress to fund development of an "orbital battle station," aimed at destroying missiles launched against the United States.
"The article, published by Pajamas Media, attacks Democrats' opposition to an missile defense system and alleges that such orbital "stations" would actually be satellites carrying 40 to 50 small "kill vehicles" that would attack enemy missiles during their initial ascent.
"Opponents to the the missile defense program -- which is aimed at shooting down incoming nuclear projectiles -- note that it has rarely worked during testing. They also assert that such programs are more likely to result in a new arms race, in which other nations continue to expand their nuclear arsenal.
"President Bush unilaterally withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in June, 2002. The treaty prohibited development of missile defense programs, "based on the premise that if either superpower constructed a strategic defense, the other would build up its offensive nuclear forces to offset the defense," according to Arms Control Today. "The superpowers would therefore quickly be put on a path toward a never-ending offensive-defensive arms race as each tried to balance its counterpart’s action."
From WTFIsItNow
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