Onward and upward with space defense

Abstract

AbstractPresident Reagan's March 23 address to the nation opened to public debate an array of critical issues concerning arms control, the arms budget and defense strategies. He envisioned as a solution to the endlessly escalating, mutual balance of nuclear terror the eventual development of a space-based defense against strategic missiles. On the one hand, critics from both the military and scientific establishments quickly characterized his proposal as either an unrealistic objective or a cruel hoax and suggested that it could only raise false hopes. On the other hand, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, physicist Edward Teller, Science Adviser George Key worth and others strongly defended the President's proposal.The debate is only beginning, and no doubt it will become more complex and partisan. Although the outcome of that debate is of the greatest possible consequence to all of us, issues of secrecy and national security may obscure it from full public participation. Therefore, the Bulletin is publishing the following edited excerpts from early, major positions on the issue.