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Reuters: Trump's Gold Dome Is Looking To Replace Musk's SpaceX

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Reuters: Trump's Gold Dome Is Looking To Replace Musk's SpaceX

The Pentagon's new directive gives 120 days to implement the project.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is expanding the range of potential contractors for the $175 billion Golden Dome space-based missile defense system, considering Amazon (Project Kuiper) and traditional defense giants amid deteriorating relations with billionaire Ilon Musk. Three sources familiar with the situation told Reuters (translated by Charter97.org).

Although SpaceX remains the leader thanks to its experience and 9,000 Starlink satellites launched, authorities fear over-reliance on one player. The Kuiper project, which has so far deployed only 78 satellites out of a planned 3,000, has already attracted the Pentagon's attention.

Mask has previously said SpaceX is not bidding on the Golden Dome, preferring to focus on the mission to send mankind to Mars.

In the meantime, Amazon and major contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris are in talks about possibly participating in the project. Their tracking and missile intercept technologies are expected to be key components.

The new Pentagon directive instructs Space Force Gen. Michael Gutline, confirmed by the Senate on July 17, to form a team within 30 days, submit a concept in 60 days, and a full implementation plan for the project in 120 days.

The possible connection of private platforms such as Kuiper raises cybersecurity concerns: satellites must be protected from attacks, including electronic warfare, a problem the Starlink network has already faced.

The Golden Dome project, inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, could dramatically alter the global security architecture by accelerating the militarization of space.

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