Nation : 2 ‘Star Wars’ Satellites in Orbit
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Two “Star Wars” satellites rocketed into space today to test a plan to destroy enemy missiles by bouncing deadly laser beams off orbiting mirrors.
A mirror on one of the satellites was designed to reflect laser beams fired from a mountaintop in Hawaii back to a ground target to assess the accuracy of a system for intercepting ballistic missiles.
Sensors on the second payload were to measure laser strikes in a test aimed at correcting laser distortions caused by dust, moisture and gases as the beam shoots through the atmosphere.
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