Overview

• Space Force General Michael Guetlein has been appointed to direct the Golden Dome program
• Pentagon’s internal schedule targets demonstration-ready interceptors under ideal conditions by late 2028 and concedes full deployment before 2029 is improbable
• Initial efforts concentrate on integrating space-based sensor networks, satellite communications and data systems prior to any boost-phase interceptor rollout
• Budget projections total roughly $175 billion with annual funding climbing from $17.6 billion in 2026 to about $100 billion in 2028
• China, Russia and North Korea have condemned the proposal as undermining space stability while Canada has been invited to join under a $61 billion participation fee or proposed statehood option