Mydriasis (/máµ»ËdraÉª.ÉsÉªs/) is the dilation of the pupil, usually defined as when having a non-physiological cause, but sometimes defined as potentially being a physiological pupillary response. Non-physiological causes of mydriasis include disease, trauma, or the use of drugs. Normally, as part of the pupillary light reflex, the pupil dilates in the dark and constricts in the light to respectively improve vividity at night and to protect the retina from sunlight damage during the day.
The Cold War Museum. The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): Star Wars. The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as Star Wars, was a program first initiated on March 23, 1983 under President Ronald Reagan. The intent of this program was to develop a sophisticated anti-ballistic missile system in order to prevent missile attacks from other countries, specifically the Soviet Union.
Mik Nevill is right it was the launch of Sputnik. The US began developing strategic bombers at the start of the Cold War with intercontinental range. Thus despite having von Braun and the cream of the German rocket teams there was no military imperative to develop an ICBM. The US also had air bases in Britain, Turkey and Germany.