ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Defense Support Program

Okay kiddo, have you ever watched a spy movie where there are satellites that can see everything happening on Earth? Well, the Defense Support Program (DSP) is kinda like that, but for real life!

The DSP is a network of satellites that the United States uses to keep an eye on other countries and make sure they're not up to anything bad. These satellites are always watching the Earth, kind of like a big, space-based security camera.

But it's not just any camera – it's a camera that can detect heat! That's really cool, right? The DSP satellites can pick up the heat that comes from things like missile launches or engines of enemy planes.

When the DSP spots something it thinks might be a threat, it sends an alert back to the people in charge, like the military or the president. Then they can decide what to do about it, like sending fighter jets to intercept a plane or shooting down a missile before it can cause any harm.

So basically, the Defense Support Program is a way for the US to keep an eye on potentially scary stuff happening in other countries without actually going there. It's like a really high-tech security system that keeps us all safe!