Satellites such as the Space Based Infrared System and Advanced AEHF are part of the in-space node of a U.S. nuclear triad consisting of ballistic missile submarines, strategic bombers and land-based ICBMs. Credit: SpaceNews graphic

This op-ed originally appeared in the March 25, 2019 issue of SpaceNews magazine.

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Brian Chow (Ph.D. in physics, MBA with distinction, Ph.D. in finance) is an independent policy analyst with more than 180 publications.