Editing Dual-use technology (section)

== Missiles ==
[[File:Neptune cruise missile 05.jpg|thumb|Neptune cruise missile launch]]
Originally developed as weapons during the [[Cold War]], the [[United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] spent billions of dollars developing rocket technology which could carry humans into space (and eventually to the [[Moon]]). The development of this peaceful rocket technology paralleled the development of [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] technology; and was a way of demonstrating to the other side the potential of one's own rockets.

Those who seek to develop ballistic missiles may claim that their rockets are for peaceful purposes; for example, for commercial satellite launching or [[Sounding rocket|scientific purposes]]. However, even genuinely peaceful rockets may be converted into weapons and provide the technological basis to do so.

Within peaceful rocket programs, different peaceful applications can be seen as having parallel military roles.  For example, the return of scientific payloads safely to earth from orbit would indicate [[Atmospheric entry|re-entry vehicle]] capability and demonstrating the ability to launch multiple satellites with a single launch vehicle can be seen in a military context as having the potential to deploy [[multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle]]s.