Final answer:
The Strategic Defense Initiative was a proposed missile defense system involving satellites with the capability to destroy incoming nuclear missiles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), commonly referred to as "Star Wars," was envisioned as a missile shield that included a network of armed satellites capable of destroying nuclear missiles before they reached their targets.
The aim was to provide a defense mechanism that could detect and engage enemy nuclear missiles with advanced technologies like lasers and other countermeasures.
The concept of SDI was proposed during the Reagan administration as a way to enhance national security and prevent mutual destruction, although it faced significant criticism due to technological challenges, the potential violation of existing treaties, and the high costs associated with the development of such a system.