The US government is considering the possibility of creating a new anti-missile system that will use satellites with laser weapons, IZ writes with reference to the Financial Times. The initiative involves protection against intercontinental ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles. Defense experts are already working on this project, and funding is still under discussion. According to the plan proposed by the Donald Trump administration, the main protection will be provided through a multi-layered system of satellites.
The project developers propose to equip some of the satellites with combat lasers that will be able to destroy enemy missiles in the initial phase of their flight. However, laser tracking and neutralization of targets at such distances requires significant technological breakthroughs. One of the main challenges for implementing the plan will be the energy source for space satellites. The idea of using advanced solar panels or miniature nuclear reactors has been put forward, but these solutions are still at the research stage.
Today, the United States already has ground-based missile defense systems located in Alaska and California. They include 44 interceptors, but the full expansion of such a system to the entire country would cost huge sums. According to preliminary estimates, even a simplified space defense system with 650 satellites would cost at least $300 billion. In addition, even such a large-scale project will still remain vulnerable, which calls into question its effectiveness in the long term.
Congress will have to make a decision on financing this ambitious plan. Scientists have already noted that the implementation of space-based missile defense in the short term is impossible due to the complexity of the technology and high costs. However, there is an active discussion in the United States about the need to strengthen defense against the background of the global threat of missile strikes.
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