Overview

• The Pentagon has developed three cost-tiered options for the Golden Dome missile defense system, ranging from $10 billion to several hundred billion dollars.
• SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril have positioned themselves as frontrunners to build a satellite ‘custody layer’ for missile detection, proposing a constellation of up to 1,000 satellites.
• SpaceX has introduced a subscription-based model for its role in the system, raising concerns about long-term costs and control over the technology.
• L3Harris has announced a $125 million expansion of its Indiana facility to increase production of infrared sensors critical to the system’s satellite network.
• The Golden Dome initiative aims to integrate existing U.S. defense systems with new space-based technologies to counter advanced threats, including hypersonic missiles and drones.