SpaceX is a leading bidder for the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense platform, according to Reuters. The project will join SpaceX alongside software company Palantir and drone manufacturer Anduril in a project that could oust traditional defense primes from one of the DoD’s biggest new defense projects.
Reuters states six sources familiar with the matter state SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril are the frontrunners to be awarded a key part of President Trump’s Golden Dome project. The sources state the SpaceX-led group would build 400-1,000 missile detection and tracking satellites that would likely be the backbone of Golden Dome.
There will also be other parts, including about 200 satellites equipped with lasers and missiles that could destroy any incoming missiles before reaching the United States, something the Pentagon will need to navigate around the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that bans weapons in space. However, it doesn’t sound like SpaceX’s satellites will be involved in any weaponization.
Reuters doesn’t state how much any contracts for the satellites could be valued; however, SpaceX states that design and engineering work for the layer could cost only $6-10 million. Pennies in the grand scheme of the DoD’s budget and in the estimated $20 billion for Golden Dome.
The layer could reportedly become a subscription service, where the DoD pays SpaceX for the constellation’s capabilities rather than purchasing and owning the satellites outright.
The three companies have all become major players in recent years for new defense contracts. Palantir and Anduril have won numerous contracts as the DoD expands its need for AI tools and drones. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starshield satellites launch on a regular basis.
However, concerns over Elon Musk‘s involvement continue as he is still close with President Trump as a special advisor. The FAA and Homeland Security are also looking at signing contracts for SpaceX’s Starlink service online, and SpaceX secured the majority of the Space Force’s NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches.
Reuter’s notes that the process is far from over in selecting who will gain the contracts to build the Golden Dome, with traditional defense primes still in the running for parts of the program and the potential for completely new bidders for other parts.
