Released on April 25, 2000, this report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the cost of the proposed national missile defense system may reach as much as $60 billion. The offspring of President Reagan's space-based "Star Wars" missile defense system, the proposed missile shield would be composed of ground-based missile interceptors guided by infrared satellites and radar. Vehemently opposed by the Russian Government and receiving only lukewarm support from significant sections of the military and Congress, the missile program's fate will be decided this summer, when President Clinton has said he will determine whether or not to proceed. His decision, he has said, will be based on the cost, its effects on international arms control agreements (those with Russia in particular), and whether or not the system will actually work. One of the two tests conducted so far has succeeded, with a third planned for June. Users can download the full text of the report in .pdf, postscript, and Wordperfect formats at the CBO site.