A method for ballistic target defense including identifying a launched ballistic target having a target launch point, a target launch direction, a target speed, and a target trajectory; launching a target interceptor in a launch direction that is generally the same as the target launch direction and with a speed that is less than the target speed; providing the interceptor with an approximate target intercept trajectory; and accelerating the interceptor at an approximate point of intercept to substantially match the target trajectory. During a relatively long target engagement time, the interceptor has approximately a zero net relative velocity with respect to the target. The interceptor will have a speed change capability sufficient to maneuver the interceptor around and/or in a target object cloud, providing the interceptor with the ability to inspect an object of the object cloud, capture an object of the object cloud, nondestructively engage in object of the object cloud, and/or destructively engage in object of the object cloud. Embodiments are also directed to a ballistic target defense system and a ballistic target interceptor.