State Dept. Backs Test of Military Laser
The State Department on Friday endorsed a Pentagon decision to fire a powerful U.S. military laser against a $60-million satellite to test its destructive power, saying it will not complicate arms control goals.
“We don’t have trouble with this test,” spokesman James Rubin told a news briefing.
“It’s not a test of an anti-satellite system. It’s an experiment that will not destroy the satellite, will not result in any debris, will not pose any risk,” he said.
“And we see no reason why it should be a problem, especially in an environment where things are moving forward with the Russians on subjects like the [1972] ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile] treaty,” he added.
The test is expected to take place from a New Mexico test site in the next few days.
Pentagon officials, who announced their plans Thursday, say it will be the first time that a laser beam has been flashed through space to test its potential for destruction.
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