Missile defense system pondered again

China's destruction of a weather satellite with a ground-based missile in January has rekindled a debate in the US on the possibility of intercepting missiles in space, despite opposition from China, Russia and other countries, AFP reported. The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said Monday the ultimate goal is to be able to divert a nuclear-tipped missile. If plans are approved, an initial $10 million for research in 2008 will be devoted to the first space-based interceptor missiles, including capabilities like tracking and surveillance. The original conception of a "Star Wars" system capable of destroying a missile mid-flight was proposed by the Reagan administration during the Cold War. So far, numerous tests have been unsuccessful. Many analysts fear that there could soon be a new race among nations to militarize space.