Unknown Startup Becomes Spearhead of Trump's New Military Project
A controversial project initiated by Donald Trump, Golden Dome, has already begun. The space-based defence programme is now entering its initial stage after two defence technology companies were selected to build prototypes of the core system.
The relatively unknown startup, Impulse Space, and the military technology company, Anduril, have reportedly been appointed by the Pentagon to develop orbital missile tracking and targeting technology.
This system will form the backbone of Golden Dome, a satellite network designed to detect and thwart aerial attacks before they reach United States territory.
Golden Dome is a major project of the Trump administration since early 2025. Through an executive order, Trump has pushed for the construction of a space “shield” capable of intercepting missiles and drones from the initial launch phase.
However, to date, specific timelines for the project remain scarce in information. Several reports suggest the project could take a long time.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that building this project could take up to two decades. But there are reports indicating that the first major test is targeted before the 2028 US presidential election. The appointment of these technology contractors signals that the project is starting to move forward.
The technology being developed centres on space-based interceptors. The system is designed to detect, lock on to targets, and destroy enemy missiles from orbit. The issue is that this technology has never been realised and is still considered impractical by some experts.
Impulse Space, led by former SpaceX engineer Tom Mueller, will act as a subcontractor to Anduril. This collaboration is seen as important because it combines launch capabilities and AI-based defence systems.
In addition to those two companies, major contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and startup True Anomaly are also reportedly involved in developing similar prototypes. They will compete for the final Golden Dome production contract.
On one hand, the project has drawn sharp criticism. Several analysts say that space-based defence systems like this have been attempted since the Ronald Reagan era and have never been realised. The cost is also estimated to be enormous, potentially reaching US$3.6 trillion by 2045.
The Brookings Institution think tank warns that Golden Dome could trigger a new arms race. If the US deploys interceptors in space, China and Russia are seen as likely to follow suit.