Elon Musk’s SpaceX has joined forces with Palantir Technologies and drone manufacturer Anduril to compete for a major role in President Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense project. The partnership is emerging as a top contender to develop critical elements of the system.
The joint proposal envisions launching between 400 and more than 1,000 satellites capable of detecting and tracking incoming missiles around the globe. According to sources, the plan also includes a separate network of 200 weaponized satellites—armed with either missiles or lasers—that would intercept and destroy those threats. SpaceX is not expected to take part in the weaponization aspect of the system.
In recent weeks, executives from the three companies have pitched the concept directly to senior officials in the Trump administration and the Pentagon. Their meetings follow Trump’s January 27 executive order declaring missile attacks “the most catastrophic threat facing the United States.”
Despite growing momentum, sources caution that the decision-making process for Golden Dome remains in its early stages, and both the scope of the project and the companies ultimately selected could still shift.
One source characterized the discussions as “a departure from the usual acquisition process,” saying the defense establishment appears “sensitive and deferential to Elon Musk because of his role in the government.”
All three companies declined to comment on Musk’s involvement in contract negotiations. The Pentagon, when asked by Reuters, did not respond to specific questions but said it will present “options to the President for his decision in line with the executive order and in alignment with White House guidance and timelines.”
