cover of episode (Bonus) The Strategic Defense Initiative - Wikipedia

(Bonus) The Strategic Defense Initiative - Wikipedia

2024/3/14
logo of podcast Then and Now: Global History and Culture

Then and Now: Global History and Culture

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(Bonus) The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the "Star Wars) program", was a proposed missile defense) system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic) strategic nuclear weapons) (intercontinental ballistic missiles) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles)). The concept was announced on March 23, 1983, by President Ronald Reagan),[1]) a vocal critic of the doctrine of mutually assured destruction) (MAD), which he described as a "suicide pact)". Reagan called upon American scientists and engineers to develop a system that would render nuclear weapons) obsolete.[2]) Elements of the program reemerged in 2019 with the Space Development Agency) (SDA).[3])

The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) was set up in 1984 within the US Department of Defense) to oversee development. A wide array of advanced weapon concepts, including lasers,[4])[5]) particle beam weapons), and ground and space-based missile systems were studied, along with various sensor, command and control), and high-performance computer) systems that would be needed to control a system consisting of hundreds of combat centers and satellites spanning the entire globe and involved in a very short battle. The United States held a significant advantage in the field of comprehensive advanced missile defense systems through decades of extensive research and testing; a number of these concepts and obtained technologies and insights were transferred to subsequent programs

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the "Star Wars) program", was a proposed missile defense) system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic) strategic nuclear weapons) (intercontinental ballistic missiles) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles)). The concept was announced on March 23, 1983, by President Ronald Reagan),[1]) a vocal critic of the doctrine of mutually assured destruction) (MAD), which he described as a "suicide pact)". Reagan called upon American scientists and engineers to develop a system that would render nuclear weapons) obsolete.[2]) Elements of the program reemerged in 2019 with the Space Development Agency) (SDA).[3])

The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) was set up in 1984 within the US Department of Defense) to oversee development. A wide array of advanced weapon concepts, including lasers,[4])[5]) particle beam weapons), and ground and space-based missile systems were studied, along with various sensor, command and control), and high-performance computer) systems that would be needed to control a system consisting of hundreds of combat centers and satellites spanning the entire globe and involved in a very short battle. The United States held a significant advantage in the field of comprehensive advanced missile defense systems through decades of extensive research and testing; a number of these concepts and obtained technologies and insights were transferred to subsequent programs