Automatic orbital defense systems were considered an important part of the American defense program since early 1980s, but their technical difficulties, political issues and most of all, cost, blocked the "Star Wars" effectively for decades. After the Middle-Eastern War in the first half of the 21st century, which proved disastrous to the United States, a serious Defcon Sats network was finally gaining speed, but it was soon overshadowed by similar programs conducted by China and Russia. Around 2050 the Earth orbit was in many places so crowded by numerous anti-ICBM satellites that it became a problem to space programs. This new costly balance of power would prevail for decades, severely limiting war opportunities above the stratosphere.