Constructing the Golden Dome: Can SpaceX and partners deliver?

• SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril are the frontrunners for developing the Golden Dome air defence system, which intends to shield the USA from missile attacks.
• The project involves deploying between 400 and 1,000 satellites into orbit to detect missiles and 200 satellites armed with missiles and lasers.
• The project's cost could soar to hundreds of billions of dollars, with the initial engineering and design of the satellites' protective layer estimated at €5-9 billion.

SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril, companies supported by President Donald Trump, are at the forefront of the race to establish the Golden Dome. This project aspires to develop an air defence system akin to Israel's Iron Dome system. Plans entail the deployment of hundreds of satellites in orbit to detect and track missiles, in addition to 200 satellites equipped with missiles and lasers to counter threats.

Despite encouraging signals, the decision-making process concerning the Golden Dome remains in its nascent stages. SpaceX and its partners have convened with senior U.S. administration officials to present their plans. Some experts express reservations about whether SpaceX will be able to construct a cost-effective national defence system.

The expense of the Golden Dome could escalate to hundreds of billions of dollars. SpaceX has projected that the preliminary engineering and design work for the satellites' protective layer will cost between $6 and $10 billion USD (€5 and €9 billion).

Musk's company already possesses experience in launching satellites, which could expedite the project's implementation. However, the subscription model proposed by SpaceX might raise concerns, as the government would not have exclusive control over the system.