Editing Military technology (section)

===Space===
{{Further|Militarisation of space|Space warfare|Space weapon}}
During the Cold War, the world's two great superpowers – the [[Soviet Union]] and the United States of America – spent large proportions of their GDP on developing military technologies.  The drive to place objects in orbit stimulated space research and started the [[Space Race]].  In 1957, the USSR launched the first [[artificial satellite]], ''[[Sputnik 1]]''.

By the end of the 1960s, both countries regularly deployed satellites. [[Spy satellite]]s were used by militaries to take accurate pictures of their rivals' military installations.  As time passed the resolution and accuracy of orbital reconnaissance alarmed both sides of the [[Iron Curtain]].  Both the United States and the Soviet Union began to develop [[anti-satellite weapon]]s to blind or destroy each other's satellites.  [[Laser]] weapons, [[kamikaze]] style satellites, as well as orbital cannons
 were researched with varying levels of success.  Spy satellites were, and continue to be, used to monitor the dismantling of military assets in accordance with arms control treaties signed between the two superpowers. To use spy satellites in such a manner is often referred to in treaties as "national technical means of verification".

The superpowers developed [[ballistic missile]]s to enable them to use [[nuclear weapon]]ry across great distances. As rocket science developed, the range of missiles increased and [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBM) were created, which could strike virtually any target on Earth in a timeframe measured in minutes rather than hours or days.  To cover large distances ballistic missiles are usually launched into [[sub-orbital spaceflight]].
[[Image:Peacekeeper-missile-testing.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Test of the [[LG-118A Peacekeeper]] missile, each one of which could carry 10 independently targeted [[nuclear warhead]]s along trajectories outside of the [[Earth's atmosphere]].]]

As soon as intercontinental missiles were developed, military planners began programmes and strategies to counter their effectiveness.