A modified Minuteman ICBM (upper left) leaves a va [Getty Images]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, UNITED STATES: A modified Minuteman ICBM (upper left) leaves a vapor trail 15 March 2002 shortly after it was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The target vehicle was succesfully intercepted by an exoatmospheric kill vehicle fired off the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean at 6:41 PM PST. AFP Photo/Lee Celano (Photo credit should read LEE CELANO/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP LEE CELANO