For decades, the idea of a nationwide missile defense system has captured the imagination of American leaders. During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan introduced the Strategic Defense Initiative,

Trump's order establishing an Iron Dome for America includes a wider focus to defend the homeland from air and missile attacks from peer adversaries.

For more than 60 years, the military has launched reconnaissance, communications, and missile warning satellites into orbit. Trump's executive order calls for the Pentagon to come up with a design architecture, requirements, and an implementation plan for the next-generation missile defense shield within 60 days.