The Air Force has mothballed the last of its 50 Peacekeeper ICBMs, but plans are under way by a private research group to carry satellites into space on the missiles designed to rain nuclear warheads. According to the Missoula (Mont.) Independent, the Inland Northwest Space Alliance (INSA)—a private group organized by the University of Montana in 2003—is collaborating with the Air Force to use the decommissioned missiles to launch university-built satellites. INSA President George Bailey says there’s “definite interest” in the project on Capitol Hill and that the military supports the goal of the project—bringing more students into the fold of aerospace engineering.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
