There are Congressmen who say that the development of a space-based missile defense system

will provide economic benefits only to military contractors. This claim is not true. A space-based missile defense system, even if it has no current applications for civilian businesses, will still benefit civilian businesses because those businesses will be able to find profitable uses for the government-developed technology in the future. Which of the following statements, if true, provides the most support for the argument that a space-based missile defense system could provide future economic benefits for civilian businesses？

A．Several new materials developed for the Apollo space program were later adapted to provide basic components of the modem computer and electronics industries.

B．The missile defense system in question will not require the development of any new technologies.

C．Space-based missile defense programs may be the only way to defend civilian populations against preemptive nuclear attacks.

D．Space-based missile defense programs, although more expensive than traditional land-based systems, are theoretically more effective than traditional land-based systems.

E．The scientists employed on the project could make extraordinary advances in the capabilities of intercontinental ballistic missiles used by the army.