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Star Wars (Strategic Defense Initiative)
Transcript
SDI
- March 23, 1983
- Under President Ronald Reagan
- Bold Intentions- develop sophisticated anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system -> prevent missile attacks
Namesake & Ideas
Star Wars
(Strategic Defense Initiative)
- Sci-fi movie, Star Wars -> public associated SDI with new and creative technology
- Lasers and mirrors to detect missiles
- Needed power -> nuclear power
“The weapons required included space- and ground-based nuclear X-ray lasers, subatomic particle beams, and computer-guided projectiles fired by electromagnetic rail guns—all under the central control of a supercomputer system.”
Failure
Why?
The SDI was quickly abandoned...
- Domestic and international political pressure
- Fear of Soviet retaliation -> violated ABM treaty of SALT talks
- Legislators/congressmen argued creation of large ABM system would raise tensions, potentially spark conflict
- Budgetary conflicts
- $30 billlion, no laser or mirror system used
Source:
Crowley, Kevin. The Cold War Museum, "THE STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (SDI): STAR WARS." Accessed April 2, 2014. http://www.coldwar.org/articles/80s/SDI-StarWars.asp.
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