Space: March 12, 2001

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The US Government Accounting Office released a report pointing out that the Space Based Infrared system portion of the space based ICBM defense system will likely not work given the budget and schedule it is using. The system is to operate from 2010 to 2022 and cost $12 billion. Most of the key technologies it depends on have not been developed yet and it is questionable if the needed breakthroughs can be achieved in time. Nevertheless, the air force is proceeding with plans to build the satellites before all the new technologies are available.