Latest news with #GoldenDome
Kuwait Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Trump's Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk's SpaceX
Trump's Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk's SpaceX WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is expanding its search for partners to build the Golden Dome missile defense system, courting Project Kuiper and big defense contractors as tensions with Elon Musk threaten SpaceX's dominance in the program, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The shift marks a strategic pivot away from reliance on Musk's SpaceX, whose Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have become central to US military communications. It comes amid a deteriorating relationship between Trump and Musk, which culminated in a public falling-out on June 5. Even before the spat, officials at the Pentagon and White House had begun exploring alternatives to SpaceX, wary of over-reliance on a single partner for huge portions of the ambitious, $175 billion space-based defense shield, two of the sources said. Musk and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. After Reuters reported initially that SpaceX was a frontrunner to build parts of Golden Dome, Musk said on X that the company had 'not tried to bid for any contract in this regard. Our strong preference would be to stay focused on taking humanity to Mars.' Due to its size, track record of launching more than 9,000 of its own Starlink satellites, and experience in government procurement, SpaceX still has the inside track to assist with major portions of the Golden Dome, especially launch contracts, sources say. Project Kuiper, which has launched just 78 of a planned constellation of 3,000 low-earth orbit satellites, has been approached by the Pentagon to join the effort, signaling the administration's openness to integrating commercial tech firms into national defense infrastructure and going beyond traditional defense players. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's executive chairman, told Reuters in January that Kuiper would be 'primarily commercial,' but acknowledged 'there will be defense uses for these [low-earth orbit] constellations, no doubt.' A spokesperson for Project Kuiper declined to comment for this story. The Pentagon declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Golden Dome's ambitions mirror those of the Zionist entity's Iron Dome - a homeland missile defense shield - but a larger, more complex layered defense system requires a vast network of orbiting satellites covering more territory. In the search for more vendors for the satellite layers of Golden Dome, 'Kuiper is a big one,' a US official said. While SpaceX remains a frontrunner due to its unmatched launch capabilities, its share of the program could shrink, two of the people said. Officials have reached out to new entrants like rocket companies Stoke Space and Rocket Lab are gaining traction and will be able to bid on individual launches as the program matures, according to the US official. Later in the development of Golden Dome 'each individual launch is going to get bid, and we have to actually give bids to other people,' besides SpaceX, the official said. There is an urgent need for more satellite production. Last year Congress gave Space Force a $13 billion mandate - up from $900 million - to buy satellite-based communication services in what was widely seen as one of many efforts to stimulate private sector satellite production. Amazon's Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative led by former Starlink managers dismissed by Musk for slow progress, Reuters has reported, has lagged behind SpaceX in deployment. But its potential defense applications - such as communications that could aid missile tracking - have drawn renewed interest as the administration prepares to allocate the first $25 billion tranche of funding authorized under Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. Traditional defense giants Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris are also in talks to support Golden Dome. L3Harris CFO Kenneth Bedingfield told Reuters in an interview the company has seen a surge in interest in its missile warning and tracking technologies, which are expected to play a key role in the system. Northrop, meanwhile, is pursuing several efforts including a space-based interceptor, a component that would enable missile strikes from orbit, Robert Flemming, the head of the company's space business, told Reuters in an interview. 'Lockheed Martin is ready to support Golden Dome for America as a proven mission partner,' Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement. Golden Dome's initial outreach this spring invited smaller, newer Silicon Valley firms seen as nimbler, more sophisticated and potentially less expensive alternatives to the big defense firms to the table - but that was before the Musk-Trump feud upended that calculus. Several with close ties to Trump aside from SpaceX, including Palantir and Anduril - were considered early frontrunners to win big pieces of the $175 billion project. But the Musk-Trump feud has reshaped the competitive landscape. Musk recently launched the 'America Party,' a tech-centric, centrist political movement aimed at defeating Republicans who backed Trump's tax-and-spend agenda. Trump launched the Golden Dome initiative just a week into his second term, pushing for rapid deployment. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, confirmed by the Senate on July 17, is set to lead the program with sweeping authority. Under a previously unreported directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guetlein has 30 days from confirmation to build a team, 60 days to deliver an initial system design, and 120 days to present a full implementation plan, including satellite and ground station details, two people briefed on the memo said. The inclusion of commercial platforms like Kuiper raises security concerns. Its satellites would need to be hardened against cyberattacks and electronic warfare, a challenge that has plagued even SpaceX's Starlink network. In May 2024, Elon Musk said SpaceX was spending 'significant resources combating Russian jamming efforts. This is a tough problem.' Beyond the technical and political challenges, Golden Dome could reshape global security dynamics. A fully operational space-based missile shield may prompt adversaries to develop new offensive capabilities or accelerate the militarization of space. — Reuters
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Donald Trump's Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk's SpaceX
The Trump administration is expanding its search for partners to build the Golden Dome missile defense system, courting Project Kuiper and big defense contractors as tensions with Elon Musk threaten SpaceX's dominance in the program, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The shift marks a strategic pivot away from reliance on Musk's SpaceX, whose Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have become central to U.S. military communications. It comes amid a deteriorating relationship between Trump and Musk, which culminated in a public falling-out on June 5. Even before the spat, officials at the Pentagon and White House had begun exploring alternatives to SpaceX, wary of over-reliance on a single partner for huge portions of the ambitious, $175 billion space-based defense shield, two of the sources said. Musk and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. After Reuters reported initially that SpaceX was a frontrunner to build parts of Golden Dome, Musk said on X that the company had "not tried to bid for any contract in this regard. Our strong preference would be to stay focused on taking humanity to Mars." Due to its size, track record of launching more than 9,000 of its own Starlink satellites, and experience in government procurement, SpaceX still has the inside track to assist with major portions of the Golden Dome, especially launch contracts, sources say. Project Kuiper, which has launched just 78 of a planned constellation of 3,000 low-earth orbit satellites, has been approached by the Pentagon to join the effort, signaling the administration's openness to integrating commercial tech firms into national defense infrastructure and going beyond traditional defense players. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's executive chairman, told Reuters in January that Kuiper would be "primarily commercial," but acknowledged "there will be defense uses for these [low-earth orbit] constellations, no doubt." A spokesperson for Project Kuiper declined to comment for this story. The Pentagon declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Golden Dome's ambitions mirror those of Israel's Iron Dome - a homeland missile defense shield - but a larger, more complex layered defense system requires a vast network of orbiting satellites covering more territory. In the search for more vendors for the satellite layers of Golden Dome, "Kuiper is a big one," a U.S. official said. While SpaceX remains a frontrunner due to its unmatched launch capabilities, its share of the program could shrink, two of the people said. Officials have reached out to new entrants like rocket companies Stoke Space and Rocket Lab are gaining traction and will be able to bid on individual launches as the program matures, according to the U.S. official. Later in the development of Golden Dome "each individual launch is going to get bid, and we have to actually give bids to other people," besides SpaceX, the official said. NEED FOR SATELLITES There is an urgent need for more satellite production. Last year Congress gave Space Force a $13 billion mandate - up from $900 million - to buy satellite-based communication services in what was widely seen as one of many efforts to stimulate private sector satellite production. Amazon's Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative led by former Starlink managers dismissed by Musk for slow progress, Reuters has reported, has lagged behind SpaceX in deployment. But its potential defense applications - such as communications that could aid missile tracking - have drawn renewed interest as the administration prepares to allocate the first $25 billion tranche of funding authorized under Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. Traditional defense giants Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris are also in talks to support Golden Dome. L3Harris CFO Kenneth Bedingfield told Reuters in an interview the company has seen a surge in interest in its missile warning and tracking technologies, which are expected to play a key role in the system. Northrop, meanwhile, is pursuing several efforts including a space-based interceptor, a component that would enable missile strikes from orbit, Robert Fleming, the head of the company's space business, told Reuters in an interview. "Lockheed Martin is ready to support Golden Dome for America as a proven mission partner," Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement. Golden Dome's initial outreach this spring invited smaller, newer Silicon Valley firms seen as nimbler, more sophisticated and potentially less expensive alternatives to the big defense firms to the table - but that was before the Musk-Trump feud upended that calculus. Several with close ties to Trump aside from SpaceX, including Palantir and Anduril - were considered early frontrunners to win big pieces of the $175 billion project. But the Musk-Trump feud has reshaped the competitive landscape. Musk recently launched the "America Party," a tech-centric, centrist political movement aimed at defeating Republicans who backed Trump's tax-and-spend agenda. RAPID TIMEFRAME Trump launched the Golden Dome initiative just a week into his second term, pushing for rapid deployment. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, confirmed by the Senate on July 17, is set to lead the program with sweeping authority. Under a previously unreported directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guetlein has 30 days from confirmation to build a team, 60 days to deliver an initial system design, and 120 days to present a full implementation plan, including satellite and ground station details, two people briefed on the memo said. The inclusion of commercial platforms like Kuiper raises security concerns. Its satellites would need to be hardened against cyberattacks and electronic warfare, a challenge that has plagued even SpaceX's Starlink network. In May 2024, Elon Musk said SpaceX was spending "significant resources combating Russian jamming efforts. This is a tough problem." Beyond the technical and political challenges, Golden Dome could reshape global security dynamics. A fully operational space-based missile shield may prompt adversaries to develop new offensive capabilities or accelerate the militarization of space. Still, established defense players like Lockheed and RTX, formerly Raytheon, will likely be at the front of the line for contracts. Executives at RTX, maker of the Patriot missile defense system, said on Tuesday they believe the system is going to be integral to Golden Dome "especially if you want to make a significant impact over the next 2 to 3 years."
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump seeking alternative to Musk's SpaceX
The White House has expanded its search for contractors to build the Golden Dome missile defense system, seeking to replace Elon Musk's SpaceX, Reuters claimed on Tuesday, citing three anonymous sources. Once close allies during the 2024 election campaign, Trump and Musk have had a dramatic falling out in recent months. The rift began over Trump's $5 trillion 'big, beautiful' budget bill, which Musk publicly opposed. In response, Trump accused Musk of benefiting excessively from federal subsidies and threatened to strip SpaceX of its government contracts. SpaceX has played a central role in US defense communications through its Starlink and Starshield satellite systems, and was expected to build key components of the Golden Dome. Reuters reported in April that the company was a frontrunner for the project, alongside Palantir and Anduril. However, Trump is apparently following through on his threat to take away Musk's contracts, according to the latest Reuters report. Officials at the Pentagon and White House are now allegedly courting other companies to reduce reliance on Musk's firm. Amazon's Project Kuiper has reportedly been approached by the administration, despite having launched only a fraction of its planned satellite constellation. Other firms under consideration include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, and smaller rocket startups such as Rocket Lab and Stoke Space. Despite the shift, Reuters notes that SpaceX may still handle certain parts of the $175 billion program, especially satellite launches, given its record of more than 9,000 Starlink deployments and vast procurement experience. The breakdown in relations between the two men continued last month when Trump proposed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk formerly led, should investigate his government subsidies. 'Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,' Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming the US could 'save a fortune' by cutting ties with his companies. Musk responded by warning that the president's spending plan would 'bankrupt the country' and pledged to launch a new political movement, the America Party, to disrupt the Democrat-Republican 'uniparty' in Congress.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Trump's Golden Dome missile defence program explores new partners beyond Musk's SpaceX
This move reflects a strategic shift away from sole reliance on Musk's SpaceX, whose Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have played a key role in US military communications read more US President Donald Trump makes an announcement regarding the Golden Dome missile defense shield next to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US. File image/Reuters The Trump administration is broadening its search for partners to develop the Golden Dome missile defence system, engaging Project Kuiper and major defence contractors, as its relationship with Elon Musk becomes increasingly strained, according to three sources familiar with the matter. This move reflects a strategic shift away from sole reliance on Musk's SpaceX, whose Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have played a key role in US military communications. It coincides with Trump and Musk's worsening relationship, which reached a breaking point on June 5. Even before the spat, Pentagon and White House officials were looking into alternatives to SpaceX, concerned about relying too heavily on a single partner for large portions of the ambitious $175 billion space-based defence shield, according to two sources. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: Trump explored ways to cut contracts with Elon Musk's SpaceX after fallout but failed: Report Musk and SpaceX have not responded to requests for comment. After Reuters initially reported that SpaceX was a frontrunner to build parts of the Golden Dome, Musk stated on X that the company had 'not tried to bid for any contract in this regard. Our strong preference would be to stay focused on taking humanity to Mars.' Due to its size, track record of launching more than 9,000 of its own Starlink satellites, and experience in government procurement, SpaceX still has the inside track to assist with major portions of the Golden Dome, especially launch contracts, sources say. Project Kuiper, which has launched just 78 of a planned constellation of 3,000 low-earth orbit satellites, has been approached by the Pentagon to join the effort, signaling the administration's openness to integrating commercial tech firms into national defense infrastructure and going beyond traditional defense players. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's executive chairman, told Reuters in January that Kuiper would be 'primarily commercial,' but acknowledged 'there will be defense uses for these [low-earth orbit] constellations, no doubt.' A spokesperson for Project Kuiper declined to comment for this story. The Pentagon declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Golden Dome's ambitions mirror those of Israel's Iron Dome - a homeland missile defense shield - but a larger, more complex layered defense system requires a vast network of orbiting satellites covering more territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the search for more vendors for the satellite layers of Golden Dome, 'Kuiper is a big one,' a US official said. While SpaceX remains a frontrunner due to its unmatched launch capabilities, its share of the program could shrink, two of the people said. Officials have reached out to new entrants like rocket companies Stoke Space and Rocket Lab are gaining traction and will be able to bid on individual launches as the program matures, according to the US official. Later in the development of Golden Dome 'each individual launch is going to get bid, and we have to actually give bids to other people,' besides SpaceX, the official said. Need for satellites There is an urgent need for more satellite production. Last year Congress gave Space Force a $13 billion mandate - up from $900 million - to buy satellite-based communication services in what was widely seen as one of many efforts to stimulate private sector satellite production. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amazon's Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative led by former Starlink managers dismissed by Musk for slow progress, Reuters has reported, has lagged behind SpaceX in deployment. But its potential defense applications - such as communications that could aid missile tracking - have drawn renewed interest as the administration prepares to allocate the first $25 billion tranche of funding authorized under Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. Traditional defense giants Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris are also in talks to support Golden Dome. L3Harris CFO Kenneth Bedingfield told Reuters in an interview the company has seen a surge in interest in its missile warning and tracking technologies, which are expected to play a key role in the system. Northrop, meanwhile, is pursuing several efforts including a space-based interceptor, a component that would enable missile strikes from orbit, Robert Flemming, the head of the company's space business, told Reuters in an interview. 'Lockheed Martin is ready to support Golden Dome for America as a proven mission partner,' Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Golden Dome's initial outreach this spring invited smaller, newer Silicon Valley firms seen as nimbler, more sophisticated and potentially less expensive alternatives to the big defense firms to the table - but that was before the Musk-Trump feud upended that calculus. Several with close ties to Trump aside from SpaceX, including Palantir and Anduril - were considered early frontrunners to win big pieces of the $175 billion project. But the Musk-Trump feud has reshaped the competitive landscape. Musk recently launched the 'America Party,' a tech-centric, centrist political movement aimed at defeating Republicans who backed Trump's tax-and-spend agenda. Rapid timeframe Trump launched the Golden Dome initiative just a week into his second term, pushing for rapid deployment. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, confirmed by the Senate on July 17, is set to lead the program with sweeping authority. Under a previously unreported directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guetlein has 30 days from confirmation to build a team, 60 days to deliver an initial system design, and 120 days to present a full implementation plan, including satellite and ground station details, two people briefed on the memo said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The inclusion of commercial platforms like Kuiper raises security concerns. Its satellites would need to be hardened against cyberattacks and electronic warfare, a challenge that has plagued even SpaceX's Starlink network. In May 2024, Elon Musk said SpaceX was spending 'significant resources combating Russian jamming efforts. This is a tough problem.' Beyond the technical and political challenges, Golden Dome could reshape global security dynamics. A fully operational space-based missile shield may prompt adversaries to develop new offensive capabilities or accelerate the militarization of space.
International Business Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Trump Administration Seeks New Allies for Golden Dome Defense Program Amid Musk Fallout
The Trump administration is actively expanding its list of potential partners for the Golden Dome missile defense system, signaling a shift away from heavy reliance on Elon Musk's SpaceX. Sources say defense officials are now courting Amazon's Project Kuiper and major military contractors to diversify involvement in the $175 billion initiative. This move follows a breakdown in relations between US President Trump and Musk, culminating in a public dispute on June 5. Even before the fallout, the Pentagon and White House had quietly begun seeking alternatives to avoid overdependence on SpaceX, which currently leads with its Starlink and Starshield satellite networks supporting military communications. SpaceX, while still favored for launch contracts due to its record of over 9,000 satellite deployments, may see its share in the project reduced. Musk previously stated the company had not bid for Golden Dome and prefers to focus on space exploration. The company declined to comment further. Amazon's Project Kuiper, though still in early deployment with only 78 of a planned 3,000 satellites launched, has drawn new interest from the Pentagon. Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos confirmed earlier that Kuiper's constellation would have defense applications. A company spokesperson declined to comment on current talks. Meanwhile, traditional defense firms including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris are actively in discussions to support the Golden Dome. Lockheed said it is ready to assist, while L3Harris noted increased demand for its missile tracking systems. Northrop is developing a space-based interceptor, enhancing the shield's strike-back potential from orbit. The administration's outreach now includes emerging space tech firms like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space. Officials confirm that as the program matures, individual launch contracts will be opened for competitive bidding. A senior U.S. official said Kuiper is considered a top candidate for satellite deployment. Congress has already increased satellite funding, granting the U.S. Space Force $13 billion to accelerate production. The first $25 billion allocation under Trump's defense spending bill is expected soon. Security concerns remain, however, as commercial satellites must be fortified against cyber threats and electronic warfare. Golden Dome, modeled after Israel's Iron Dome but on a global scale, is central to Trump's rapid defense push. Under a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Space Force General Michael Guetlein must deliver a complete implementation plan within 120 days of his July 17 Senate confirmation. The program's future could reshape space militarization and global defense dynamics, while also redefining the tech-defense industry landscape amid political shifts and rivalries. (With inputs from agencies)
