Nuke launched by mistake

What would happen if in 2009 a Chinese nuclear missile was suddenly activated by mistake (North Korean hackers, a computer error, mistaken orders or etc) and was fired at San Francisco?
The Chinese had no intention of launching the missile and are horrified that it is heading to America.
 
What would happen if in 2009 a Chinese nuclear missile was suddenly activated by mistake (North Korean hackers, a computer error, mistaken orders or etc) and was fired at San Francisco?
The Chinese had no intention of launching the missile and are horrified that it is heading to America.
IMHO the outcome depends on:

Can the U.S. Intercept the missile / war head ?

If the U.S. doesn't intercept the missile / war head does the war head detonate and cause extensive damage and loss of life ?
 
Can the Chinese hit the self destruct button?

Also, doesn't the US have a tired system to try to down the missle/warhead after it launches, when it leaves the atmosphere, and when it re-enters.

Would be cool if the warhead was either shot down in space or by F 15's that were scrambled.

China and or N Korea in bad position after even if it is shot down or harmlessly detonated.

N Korea is integrated to S Korea but only after a decade of Chinse development.

US gets sweet trade deal for a decade as well.

Event actually bonds the two nations.

Longterm, China, US, Russia, EU, and Japan develop lunar base and Mars missions.
 

James G

Gone Fishin'
Can the Chinese hit the self destruct button?

Also, doesn't the US have a tired system to try to down the missle/warhead after it launches, when it leaves the atmosphere, and when it re-enters.

Would be cool if the warhead was either shot down in space or by F 15's that were scrambled.

China and or N Korea in bad position after even if it is shot down or harmlessly detonated.

N Korea is integrated to S Korea but only after a decade of Chinse development.

US gets sweet trade deal for a decade as well.

Event actually bonds the two nations.

Longterm, China, US, Russia, EU, and Japan develop lunar base and Mars missions.

Surely self-destruction mechanisms on ICBMs are just for the movies?
 
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