SpaceX Expected to Bid for Golden Dome Project
Additional 400 to 1,000 Satellites Needed
Allocated Budget of $175 Billion... "Far From Enough"
On the 20th (local time), President Donald Trump explained the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system project targeting the entire United States at the White House. Photo by UPI
Controversy has erupted after President Donald Trump announced plans to establish the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system to protect the United States during his term. As SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is expected to secure a bid opportunity, suspicions have been raised about favoritism through public projects. Critics have also pointed out that the budget announced by President Trump is insufficient to carry out the project and that the cost is likely to balloon in the future.
Announcement of Deployment of 'Golden Dome,' the U.S. Version of Iron Dome, During Term..."Building the Best System"
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system by Lockheed Martin, displayed at the White House in July 2019. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
On the 20th (local time), President Trump unveiled the Golden Dome construction plan at the White House. He stated, "The Golden Dome will be deployed before the end of my term in January 2029," and explained, "We will deploy next-generation defense systems, including space-based sensors and interceptors, on land, at sea, and in space. Canada has also reached out, expressing its desire to be part of the project."
The Golden Dome is a defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome. President Trump had already signed an executive order for its establishment on January 27, shortly after taking office. The most distinctive feature of this system is the deployment of interceptors in space. It tracks new types of missiles, which are difficult to detect with ground-based radar, using space sensors mounted on satellites, and intercepts them in space using space-based interceptors.
President Trump emphasized, "The total cost of the Golden Dome will reach $175 billion, of which $25 billion is already reflected in a bill pending in Congress," and added, "Once the Golden Dome is completed, it will be able to intercept missiles launched from the other side of the world or from space. We will build the best system in history."
Controversy Over Musk's Private Interests...SpaceX Expected to Secure Bid Opportunity
However, there are concerns that Elon Musk could gain private benefits through SpaceX in relation to the Golden Dome project. Even before and after the announcement of the Golden Dome plan, SpaceX has already emerged as the biggest beneficiary. In political circles, there are growing concerns that it could constitute misconduct if a high-ranking government official allows his own company to participate in public project bids.
According to CNN, on the 1st, 42 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General regarding the Golden Dome project. In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers pointed out, "There are concerns about whether the defense contracts for building the Golden Dome are an effective way to protect Americans, or if they are simply a means to enrich elites such as Musk."
Within the Democratic Party, a new bill has also been introduced to prohibit companies owned by high-ranking government officials from contracting with the federal government. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who introduced the bill, criticized, "If the richest person in the world becomes a special government employee and is able to control billions of tax dollars flowing to his own company through government contracts, that is a very serious problem."
At Least 1,000 Military Satellites Needed...$244 Billion Far From Enough
On the 14th (local time), SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites was launched from the U.S. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Some experts are concerned that the Golden Dome project budget is set far too low, and that the overall project cost will increase significantly in the future. At least 400 to more than 1,000 additional military satellites need to be launched, and the current budget is woefully inadequate for this.
The $175 billion Golden Dome budget announced by President Trump is divided into $25 billion for initial project costs and $150 billion for future spending. The initial $25 billion budget is mostly allocated for technology development, including $7.2 billion for the development and procurement of space-based sensors, $5.6 billion for the development of space interceptors, and $2 billion for the development of military satellites.
Space.com, a space-focused media outlet, pointed out that the launch price for SpaceX's main rocket, the Falcon 9, is around $60 million per launch. Considering that large satellites for military and interception purposes can only be mounted one per rocket, the cost of launching 1,000 satellites alone would reach $60 billion. This means that more than 30% of the entire project budget could be consumed just by rocket launch costs.
The Hill, a U.S. political media outlet, cited experts who said, "The number of satellites needed to monitor and protect the entire United States is about 400 to more than 1,000," and added, "To destroy enemy missiles, 200 interceptor satellites would also be required. Ultimately, the cost needed for this system could reach trillions of dollars."
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