Elon Musk’s SpaceX, along with Palantir and Anduril, has emerged as the frontrunner to build a central piece of former President Donald Trump’s ambitious “Golden Dome” missile defense shield. According to sources close to the matter, the tech trio is proposing a high-tech, satellite-powered system that would detect and track incoming missiles, potentially replacing legacy defense contractors like Northrop Grumman.
Trump’s January executive order declared missile attacks the “most catastrophic threat facing the United States,” triggering a flurry of interest from defense startups. SpaceX is pitching a constellation of up to 1,000 tracking satellites, supported by another 200 armed satellites capable of intercepting enemy missiles. While SpaceX would not build the weapons, its role is pivotal.
In a surprising twist, Musk’s group has proposed a subscription model—letting the government pay for access to the tech rather than owning it outright. The model could fast-track deployment, but some officials worry it could lock the Pentagon into long-term costs with less control over development.
Musk, now a special adviser to Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, is reportedly playing a key behind-the-scenes role. SpaceX’s existing satellite infrastructure and rapid launch capabilities give it a major edge, especially with early delivery deadlines looming by 2026.
Still, skeptics remain. “They’ve never delivered a full national defense system,” one source noted. With over 180 bids submitted, including from newer defense players like Ursa Major and Epirus, the competition is fierce.
If SpaceX wins, it would mark Silicon Valley’s biggest break into national defense, potentially reshaping the military-industrial complex for decades to come.
