Missile defence test scores a direct hit
A missile interceptor has destroyed its target, a mock nuclear warhead travelling through space, in a US Government 'Son of Star Wars' test.
It was the first test of the "hit-to-kill" technology that the administration of US President George W Bush hopes will become a key element of a missile defence network.
At 4.09am irish time, exactly the scheduled moment of collision between the interceptor and the warhead, an enormous white flash appeared at the planned impact point 144 miles above the earth's surface.
Reporters monitoring the test from a video-teleconference room in the Pentagon could see the white flash.
The video then switched to the mission control room on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, where military and civilian officials who were running the test broke into a loud cheer, clapped hands and punched fists into the air.
The interceptor missile was launched from Kwajalein 21 minutes after its target, a modified Minuteman II intercontinental-range missile, roared toward the heavens from a launch pad 4,800 miles away at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Less was riding on the outcome of the test than a year ago, when a failed intercept sealed President Bill Clinton's decision to put off initial steps toward deploying a national missile defense.
US President George W Bush has made clear he would proceed with an accelerated testing programme regardless of the outcome on Saturday.
A successful intercept would provide a political boost for a project that some congressional Democrats believe risks upsetting relations with Russia and China, and has the potential to create a new arms race.
Failure would not derail the effort. It is just the first in a series of tests the administration hopes will produce at least a rudimentary defence against long-range missiles by 2004.
