Overview

• The White House directed the Defense Department and NASA to scrutinize billions in SpaceX contracts after President Trump’s public feud with Elon Musk
• Pentagon officials are weighing a reduced or terminated role for SpaceX’s planned satellite “custody layer” within the Golden Dome architecture
• Decision-makers are exploring an alternative model that would expand existing ground-based missile interceptors rather than build a new space-based network
• The project retains a $175 billion budget and a January 2029 deployment goal despite growing skepticism over its aggressive schedule
• Missile defense experts warn that political influence and a lack of detailed technical planning continue to cast doubt on the program’s feasibility