Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

The Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) is a nuclear weapons delivery system that launches a warhead into a low Earth orbit trajectory instead of a traditional high-arc ballistic path. The key characteristic is that the missile completes only a fraction of an orbit before deorbiting to strike its target, making it harder to detect by early warning systems designed for conventional ballistic missiles. This orbital approach allows the weapon to approach from unexpected directions and reduces warning time significantly.

❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: FOBS is not designed for asteroid defense but for delivering weapons to Earth-based targets via orbital trajectory.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: This describes planetary landing maneuvers, not FOBS which is specifically about weapon delivery systems orbiting Earth.
✅ Option 3 – Correct: Accurately describes FOBS as a missile placed in orbit that deorbits over a terrestrial target.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: This describes a comet rendezvous mission, unrelated to FOBS weapons systems.

📝 Short Notes: Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS)

• Concept: A weapons delivery system developed during the Cold War era, primarily by the Soviet Union in the 1960s
• Trajectory: Uses a low Earth orbit (LEO) path rather than a high ballistic arc, completing only a fraction of an orbit before deorbiting
• Strategic Advantage: Can approach targets from unexpected directions (including over the South Pole), bypassing radar systems oriented toward traditional ballistic missile trajectories
• Detection Challenge: Early warning systems designed to detect high-arc ballistic missiles may fail to identify low-orbit FOBS until late in the attack sequence
• Reduced Warning Time: The orbital path and lower altitude mean less time between detection and impact compared to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
• Modern Context: Recent reports suggest renewed interest in FOBS technology by certain nations, making it relevant to contemporary strategic discussions
• Treaty Status: The Outer Space Treaty (1967) prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, though FOBS occupies a grey area as it doesn't complete a full orbit