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Japan and Early Warning Satellite Systems

With the spread of more capable ballistic missiles in Asia, Japan has recently undertaken increasingly serious studies of early warning and ballistic missile national defense systems. Like its reevaluation of photographic reconnaissance spacecraft, early warning satellites would not violate Japan's prohibition on offensive military space systems. Alternatively, Japan may join with the US in a tactical ballistic missile defense system which would rely on American detection spacecraft in LEO and /or GEO (Reference 85).

85. N. Usui, "U.S., Japan Discuss Sharing Missile Warnings", Space News, 23-29 January 1995. p. 6.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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