The Importance of the Missile Defense Program

The Importance of the Missile Defense Program

The government still didn't think of missile defense as a serious subject until October 4, 1957, when the Soviets launched their first satellite (Sputnik) into space on the top of a multi-stage missile. This was a big deal because the Soviets showed they had the technology to launch large objects into space. So what would have stopped them from launching a rocket at the United States? A few weeks after the Sputnik launch the U.S. attempted their very own satellite launch with the Vanguard rocket, which ended in disaster blowing up on the launch pad. In January 1958 the Pentagon lifted the ban on Army missile launches, which helped the U.S. send Explorer I satellite into space. Within a few weeks long-range missile development became both a threat and a weapon.

Missile defense systems really started to come about during World War II. When the Nazi's developed long-range rockets and ballistic missiles. The Nazi's long-range rockets were called V-1's and could be launched from 180 miles away. The Nazi's ballistic missile was called the A-4, later renamed the V-2. The Allied forces were able to stop the V-1 because of its noisy engine and slow speed. The Allied forces were at a loss when it came to defending the V-2 because this type of missile was never before studied and we had no idea how to stop something that fast. The Nazi's could have had a huge advantage over the U.S. because they were able to launch a missile from over 180 miles away. Leaving our troops unprotected and having no way to protect themselves.

As the war was starting to come to an end, the enemy started building bigger and faster ballistic missiles. They were focusing all their time and resources on developing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBMs) that would be capable of carrying nuclear warheads. They felt if the U.S. ever decided to stick our nose in anyone else's business they would teach us a lesson by launching missiles at us. In other words they were trying to build a weapon of mass destruction that could crush the U.S. if we didn't obey what they wanted. Instead we decided to put a treaty on building ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads and come up with a defensive missile system. We needed a way to protect ourselves and keep our citizens safe.