Trump's Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk's SpaceX

The Trump administration is seeking new partners for the Golden Dome missile defense system, moving away from SpaceX due to tensions with Elon Musk. This shift comes after a public falling-out on June 5 and a desire to reduce dependence on a single partner for the $175 billion project.

The Pentagon is courting Amazon's Project Kuiper and other defense contractors, acknowledging the need for more satellite production. While SpaceX remains a leading candidate for launch contracts, new contenders like Stoke Space and Rocket Lab may bid on future projects.

Golden Dome aims for extensive satellite coverage, similar to Israel's Iron Dome, and invites smaller tech firms into national defense. Security concerns arise since commercial platforms like Kuiper require protection against cyber threats. A successful Golden Dome could alter global security dynamics.