Elon Musk’s SpaceX has emerged as the frontrunner in the competition to build key components of President Donald Trump’s ambitious “Golden Dome” missile defense system, according to a report by Reuters on Thursday.
The project, initiated by a January executive order, aims to establish an advanced satellite shield to protect the United States from foreign missile threats. SpaceX, in collaboration with data analytics firm Palantir and defense drone manufacturer Anduril, has proposed a joint bid that features a comprehensive satellite network and an innovative subscription-based model.
This model would allow the federal government to access and operate the system through recurring fees, deviating from traditional government ownership of such infrastructure.
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Neither the Department of Defense nor SpaceX responded to requests for comment.
President Trump, in a March address to a joint session of Congress, emphasized the necessity of such a system, stating, “Israel has it, other places have it, and the United States should have it too. This is a very dangerous world. We should have it. We want to be protected. And we’re going to protect our citizens like never before.”
SpaceX’s proposal reportedly entails deploying between 400 and 1,000 detection satellites and up to 200 “attack satellites” equipped with missiles or lasers for intercepting threats. The subscription-based model, while potentially accelerating deployment and reducing initial costs, has raised concerns among some Pentagon officials who fear it could bypass traditional budget oversight and create long-term financial uncertainties.
The competition for the “Golden Dome” contract is fierce, with defense giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as emerging military-tech companies, vying for a piece of the action. Lockheed Martin has been particularly active, launching promotional campaigns and utilizing social media to promote its bid.
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Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, involved in discussions regarding SpaceX’s proposed ownership model, acknowledged the project’s complexity at the National Security Innovation Base Summit in March. “We are not accustomed to having to integrate at the level that’s going to be required to integrate to go after an Iron Dome,” he said, comparing the project’s scale to the Manhattan Project. “It’s going to take a concerted effort from the very top of our government. It’s going to take national will to bring all this together. It’s going to be a heavy lift across all the organizations that are going to be participating.”
Adding a layer of political intrigue, all three companies in the SpaceX-led consortium are headed by executives who have shown political support for President Trump. Elon Musk, who now leads the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has reportedly contributed substantial funds to Trump-aligned causes.
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He has also been instrumental in implementing the president’s initiatives to streamline government operations and modernize legacy systems within federal agencies, including the Pentagon. However, recent reports suggest a potential strain in the relationship, with news emerging of Trump abruptly cancelling a China-related Pentagon briefing scheduled for Musk.
While the “Golden Dome” program remains in its early stages, with final decisions on scope, design, and contractors still months away, SpaceX is currently considered the leading contender. The Pentagon’s cautious optimism, coupled with Musk’s involvement, positions the SpaceX-led consortium favorably in the ongoing competition.
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