In a recent interview with The Floridian, Representative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) discussed space exploration efforts in his congressional district. He said that we are in a "space race" with China and that winning it is crucial.
"We could not be happier with what Elon Musk is doing, let alone Jeff Bezos, and so many other companies around our area," said Rep. Haridopolos, referring to private enterprises such as SpaceX and others looking into exploring beyond Earth, adding, "It is absolutely booming, and it is because that innovation is taking place."
However, "this is a military component. It is not just commercial. Starlink is important and so forth, yes, but we are in a space race right now with the communist dictatorship of China, and we need to win this space race," Rep. Haridopolos continued.
We asked if the current space race is similar to the Strategic Defense Initiative, better known as "Star Wars," after the space opera film series President Ronald Reagan pushed in the 1980s.
The Florida Congressman said it was, "and it is called the Golden Dome."
"You know, there is the Iron Dome (Israel's air defense system), but the difference is, we have the old parabola where things are going on with hypersonics, it is different. So, the Golden Dome is designed to knock down hypersonics. It is just a math equation: When someone launches, God forbid, an [intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)], you know where it is going, right? And so now, with the new hypersonics, you have got the Golden Dome system, so you can identify the threat and knock it out," said Haridopolos.
However, he remained optimistic that "we are going to win that again," for despite China's military buildup and aggression in recent years, "the stronger national defenses and network like the Golden Dome, the less likely we will turn into a hot war. They are literally afraid to take us on."
After all, "the Soviets were convinced that we would have Star Wars, and they believed because of our advanced computer systems that they could never replicate even as they were stealing our technology just like the Chinese are doing today."
"I think that our innovative technology is going to, in essence, be that linchpin to make sure we win this next cold war, and let's just pray that it never turns hot because of the nuclear proliferation that exists," Haridopolos concluded.
