A '''ballistic missile''' is any one of the many forms of self powered projectiles that assumes a free falling trajectory during descent. Some forms of ballistic missiles are guided during their assent. Most ballistic missiles are ground-to-ground based.
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A '''ballistic missile''' is a [[missile]] which leaves the atmosphere and goes into orbit around the [[Earth]]'s orbit (at least briefly). Most ballistic missiles are ground-to-ground based. Some have enough range to reach another continent; see [[Intercontinental ballistic missile]] (ICBM).