Overview

• President Trump's executive order directs the Pentagon to design and implement a missile defense system with space-based interceptors within 60 days.
• The proposed system aims to defend against a range of threats, including ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles, as well as drones.
• The White House likens the initiative to an 'Iron Dome for America,' though experts highlight logistical and financial challenges in scaling such a system to cover the U.S.
• The plan includes accelerating the deployment of satellite networks like the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) to enhance missile tracking and targeting capabilities.
• Critics question the feasibility and cost of the project, drawing comparisons to past missile defense initiatives like the Strategic Defense Initiative, which faced similar obstacles.