A test of the controversial US missile defence system failed on Sunday – the second time this has happened in recent months.

An interceptor missile sited on an island base in the Pacific Ocean was meant to obliterate a test ballistic missile in mid-flight, but it failed to launch, officials from the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) revealed on Monday…

The target missile, carrying a mock warhead, did launch from Kodiak, Alaska at 0922 local time. But the interceptor missile – a rocket carrying a “kill vehicle” that detaches and homes in on the target – failed to get off the ground at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Island in the central Pacific.

The US defence shield was to go live in September 2004, but the programme has fallen months behind schedule. A test in December 2004 also failed because the interceptor failed to launch.

The MDA revealed on 14 January 2005 that this was caused by the interceptor’s internal safety system preventing lift-off…