How do ICBM early warning systems differentiate between a real threat and a launch of a normal rocket intended to go to space?

Question

How do ICBM early warning systems differentiate between a real threat and a launch of a normal rocket intended to go to space?

In: 2759

Answer 1

Something else missed among the responses is where the rocket is launched from. Space launch sites are well known, and most ICBM sites are known (even if it’s not public knowledge). Launch detection systems almost always pinpoint the exact location of a launch, so it’s pretty clear right off the bat what the rocket likely is. There’s always the possibility for malicious actions, which is where everything else comes into play, especially trajectory.