--- title: "The U.S. Wants to Put Ballistic Missile Defense Systems in Space" description: "The U.S. military has released this year's Missile Defense Review that includes plans for space-based missile sensors, and interceptors." date: "2019-01-19" modified: "2019-01-19" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/us-anti-missile-defense-systems-space" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "ballistic missile" - "missile" - "missile defense" - "u.s. military" --- # The U.S. Wants to Put Ballistic Missile Defense Systems in Space ![The U.S. military has released this year's Missile Defense Review that includes plans for space-based missile sensors, and interceptors.]() *\Image: Raytheon\* ## Missiles in Space The U.S. recently released a report that outlines how it will develop new technology to defend itself from missile attacks, and expand its existing missile defend shield. Chief among the ideas outlined by the report are ways the U.S. could defend itself from missiles — but from space. The so-called [Missile Defense Review]() was officially released in its unclassified form by the Pentagon [earlier this week](). The [accompanying event]() was attended by President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, and a number of high-ranking U.S. military officials. A particularly high-brow idea highlighted in the report: space-based sensors, and anti-missile weapons that could track missiles mid-flight, and intercept (read: destroy) them from orbit. ## Space-Based Sensors We've known about these plans for a while now. The development of space-based anti-missile systems was mentioned in this year's defense spending bill that was agreed upon by U.S. lawmakers [back in July](). The plan is to come up with a preliminary working prototype of such a sensor by the early 2020s. "We see space as an area that’s very important as far as advanced, next-level capabilities that will help us stay ahead of the threat," said Pentagon technology head Mike Griffin at the event, as [quoted]() by *Defense News*. "A space-based layer of sensors is something we are looking at to help give early warning, tracking and discrimination of missiles when they are launched." ## Space Lasers Space-based interceptors however — a system of high velocity projectiles or even [lasers]() that can take out ballistic missiles while in orbit — will have to go through a six-month testing phase before the military decides to invest in the technology, according to *Defense News*. Other ideas outlined in the Missile Defense Review include [using the F-35 fighter jet]() to shoot down missiles while airborne, and an [unmanned aerial vehicle]() (UAV) that could do the same — but with lasers. **READ MORE:** [Here's All You Need To Know About The New Missile Defense Review That Was Just Released]() \[*The Drive*\] ***More on missile defense systems: [Watch a Missile Smash a Dummy Nuclear Warhead Out of the Sky]()*** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()