Elon Musk’s company SpaceX and two of its partners have emerged as leading contenders to secure a key role in President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative, according to six individuals familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.
SpaceX is teaming up with software firm Palantir and drone manufacturer Anduril in a joint proposal to develop essential components of the Golden Dome program, the sources said. The project has drawn considerable attention from a growing number of defense-focused technology startups.
In an executive order issued on January 27, President Trump identified a missile attack as “the most catastrophic threat facing the United States.”
All three companies involved in the bid were founded by entrepreneurs who have supported Trump politically. Musk, who now serves as a special adviser to the president focused on government spending cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency, has donated more than $250 million to Trump’s election efforts.
While the Pentagon has shown favorable signals toward the SpaceX-led group, some of the sources cautioned that the selection process for Golden Dome remains in its early stages. The scope of the project and the eventual contractors could change significantly as plans evolve.
In recent weeks, representatives from the three companies met with senior officials from both the Trump administration and the Pentagon to present their proposal, which includes launching between 400 and over 1,000 satellites to detect and monitor missile threats, according to sources.
A separate constellation of around 200 weaponized satellites, equipped with missiles or lasers, would be responsible for intercepting and neutralizing incoming threats, three of the sources added. However, the SpaceX-led group is reportedly not expected to participate in the development of the weaponized satellites.
One individual familiar with the talks described the process as “a departure from the usual acquisition process,” noting a sense within the national security and defense community that there is a need to be “sensitive and deferential to Elon Musk” given his advisory role in the administration.
SpaceX and Musk have declined to comment on whether Musk is directly involved in the ongoing discussions or negotiations related to federal contracts involving his companies.
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