| Just a word about the reported "cost" of this mission.
The missile was not built for this specific mission. It was already in the inventory. The missile could sit inert or be fired at this satellite. The cost was the same.
The naval personnel that were involved already existed. No new hires were required for this mission. They could not work to knock out the missile or they could do so with no extra cost. (no overtime pay involved)
The same holds true for others involved in the mission. They pre-existed the firing and will go on afterwards.
The only true cost of demonstrating our technological ability to intercept a space borne target will be the replacement cost of the missile itself, which could have been fired at a target or left in inventory until it's shelf life had been exceeded.
Keep it real |