CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An upcoming rocket launch could be a first for the U.S. Air Force and the defense of the United States.

The Air Force was slated to launch a Delta II rocket Wednesday morning, but bad weather forced a delay until Thursday at 8 a.m.

The rocket will carry two satellites designed to prove whether incoming missiles can be tracked and shot down before hitting the U.S.

If the satellites work, it would mean the U.S. would be able to launch dozens of similar satellites that would form a barrier against an attack from another country or from terrorists with ballistic missiles. [?!]

Work on the shield could begin within four years.