The US president's Golden Dome initiative envisions armed satellites designed to neutralize incoming missiles

Elon Musk's SpaceX has emerged as a leading contender to develop a significant portion of US President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense shield, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In January, Trump signed an executive order for developing a missile defense system akin to Israel's 'Iron Dome'. The president cited a missile attack as "the most catastrophic threat facing the United States."

The proposed system envisions launching between 400 to over 1,000 tracking satellites, complemented by approximately 200 armed satellites equipped to intercept incoming missiles, according to an article published on Thursday.

Musk's rocket and satellite company is partnering with software maker Palantir and drone builder Anduril to build key parts of the Golden Dome, sources told the outlet. While SpaceX is expected to focus on the tracking component, the weaponization aspect may involve other contractors.

SpaceX has reportedly introduced an unconventional subscription-based model for its segment of the project, whereby the government would pay for access rather than own the infrastructure outright. This approach has reportedly raised concerns within the Pentagon regarding long-term costs and control over the system.

Musk's dual role as a contractor and senior adviser to the president has also prompted scrutiny from members of Congress, who have expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Earlier this month, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen introduced a bill that would prohibit awarding government contracts to companies owned by special government employees, such as Musk.

Trump's proposal is reminiscent of former President Ronald Reagan's 'Strategic Defense Initiative', dubbed 'Star Wars,' which ultimately was never realized. While the 'Golden Dome' appears more feasible than SDI, its most ambitious goals, such as intercepting nuclear missiles from other continents, are expected to be highly costly and take years to implement.

Russia has called Trump's initiative a destabilizing step towards the weaponization of space.

"We see this as yet another confirmation of the US focus on turning space into an arena for armed confrontation, warfare, and the deployment of weapons," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated in January.

The Pentagon is in the early stages of the project, with initial capabilities anticipated by 2026 and full deployment projected only after 2030, according to Reuters. The overall cost for Golden Dome could reportedly run into the hundreds of billions of dollars.