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The back-up nuclear launch code for the Minuteman missile system used to be 00000000. You have far too much faith in humanity.
by evanwise 9y ago
The back-up nuclear launch code for the Minuteman missile system used to be 00000000. You have far too much faith in humanity.
- triangleman 9y agoThat was because, IIRC, Congress mandated a launch code be added to the system, so the military added one and set it to all 0's as a loophole, because their main concern was to make sure the system would work as intended. Not having a launch code when you need it would be a bad thing. None of this precluded the existing, strict, chain of command, which included the famous "biscuit" that the president needs to launch missiles. And I believe the whole thing also needs to be authenticated by the Sec. of Defense.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]