ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: The future of an American missile defense system is in question after it failed a crucial and expensive test for the second time. Pentagon officials say the Interceptor lifted off Friday night Pacific Time without any problems, but the so- called "kill vehicle" failed to separate from the booster rocket, so its sensors never activated and the interceptor missed the target missile. Another test in January also resulted in failure. CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us live from Washington. Kelly, how is White House taking this news?</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Andria, White House officials say the failed test will definitely be taken into account to determine the technical feasibility of the program. But they also add, it is still too earlier to know exactly what went wrong and to know what impact this all will have on the president's decision about whether or not to go forward with a limited national missile defense system. Right now, White House official say the president is waiting for the formal recommendation from Defense Secretary William Cohen, that recommendation due here at the White House in the next several weeks, and then the president will make his own decision. Mr. Clinton has said he will weigh a number of factors in his decision, including the technical feasibility of the program, the long-range missile threat from countries such as North Korea, the financial cost of the $30 billion program, and the diplomatic cost, because you have countries such as Russia, and China and the European allies who strongly oppose the U.S. going forward with such a system. Mr. Clinton is expected to make his decision sometime this fall. One possibility could be to leave this matter for the next president. Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting live from the White House.</s>HALL: Thanks, Kelly.
Future of American Missile Defense System in Question After Second Failed Test