Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is frontrunner to build Trump's Golden Dome missile shield

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

Elon Musk's SpaceX and two partners have emerged as frontrunners to win a crucial part of President Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, six people familiar with the matter said.

Musk's rocket and satellite company is partnering with software maker Palantir (PLTR.O) and drone builder Anduril on a bid to build key parts of Golden Dome, the sources said, which has drawn significant interest from the technology sector's burgeoning base of defense startups.

-snip-

The three companies met with top officials in the Trump administration and the Pentagon in recent weeks to pitch their plan, which would build and launch 400 to more than 1,000 satellites circling the globe to sense missiles and track their movement, sources said.

A separate fleet of 200 attack satellites armed with missiles or lasers would then bring enemy missiles down, three of the sources said. The SpaceX group is not expected to be involved in the weaponization of satellites, these sources said.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/musks-spacex-is-frontrunner-build-trumps-golden-dome-missile-shield-2025-04-17/

---

The article goes on to say that this is "a departure from the usual acquisition process" because of the need to be "deferential" to Musk.

Oh, and Musk wants to make the SoaceX role in this a SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. He would own and control the technology, and the government would pay - and continue to pay - for access.

[travelingthrulife]

1. Illegal immigrant gets more billions in public cash.

Where's ICE when you need them?

[PSPS]

2. That $200 million musk paid to get trump into office is paying off bigly

[mdbl]

3. Isn't this the same take as Reagan's star wars crap?

Last edited Thu Apr 17, 2025, 04:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Yes, let's put weapons in satellites so Russia can hack in and use them. Actually, with the current administration, they won't need to hack. We'll just give them access.

[Ray Bruns]

5. Yes. And that didn't work either.

[electric_blue68]

22. I figured something like that

[Historic NY]

4. He's in china's and Putins pocket...

he'll make money on a useless system most likely glue together

[BoRaGard]

6. Wow - who could possibly have imagined...?

d'oh Grifters of a feather are grifting together.

republicons are the Crime Party - and this is no way Jesus would approve
of their degenerate morals and ethics,

[wyn borkins]

15. Most Worthy, Indeed: "Grifters of a Feather are Grifting Together" (n/t)

[Lovie777]

7. Layoffs, firing Federal employees..

defunding federal departments and programs so shithole can get a golden dome.

Impeach.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Putin will have access to the US missile shield and shut it down anytime he wants.

[Irish_Dem]

9. $200m investment turns into $1Trillion.

[Martin68]

10. Here we go again. "Star Wars: The Return"

The Zombie program that Reagan first attempted.

[harumph]

11. Ridiculous.

Such a system would be easily defeated. I mean if it ever comes down to it, a hostile power could launch payloads of literally billions and billions of BB-sized ball bearings in orbit that reach speeds multiples that of terrestrial bullets (e.g., 10 km/sec). Google "space trash" and you'll get it. It's just another worthless grift that leverages fear to fleece taxpayers. `

[Harker]

12. What sane person would want their safety to rely on Musk and Trumpsky?

At any cost... even if they paid for it themselves?

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Surprise, surprise.

[RainCaster]

14. Guaranteed to never shoot down Russian or Chinese missiles

I have great confidence in Muskrat's ability to scam the government while providing nothing of value to the American public.

[Johonny]

16. Wait, subscription service

So the US just keeps fucking paying forever

[bucolic_frolic]

17. Cyber Truck of the Skies! /nt

[dchill]

18. You don't say! An iron dome to which Putin will hold a key!

So safe, so sane and so secure. It's the worst that could happen.

[republianmushroom]

19. Sure hope it is better than his EV.

[not fooled]

20. Just a way to launder money

to President Musk.

[Vinca]

21. I think I hear our tax dollars being flushed down a golden toilet.