Trump Administration in Talks with Amazon, Not SpaceX, for 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Project
Washington, July 22, 2025 —
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has shifted course on its ambitious space-based missile defense project, ‘Golden Dome’, by reducing its reliance on Elon Musk’s SpaceX and entering into discussions with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and other defense firms, according to multiple sources close to the administration.
Moving Away from Exclusive Dependence
The key reason behind this shift is growing concern over overdependence on SpaceX and the recent political tensions between Trump and Musk. Ensuring technological diversification for the $175 billion Golden Dome project has now become a top priority for the administration.
This pivot gained momentum following a very public clash between Trump and Musk on June 5.
Musk, responding to the issue on X (formerly Twitter), wrote:
“We didn’t bid for the contract. Our primary focus is building human settlements on Mars.”
Amazon Steps In
Despite having launched only 78 satellites so far, Project Kuiper has received a direct invitation from the administration to join the national defense initiative.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stated that while Kuiper is a “commercial” project, its defense applications are inevitable.
Alternative Launch and Defense Partners
Besides SpaceX, the administration is in talks with Stoke Space, Rocket Lab, and even defense giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris.
Kenneth Beddingfield, CFO of L3Harris, said:
“There’s currently enormous demand for missile tracking and early-warning technology, and Golden Dome is shaping up to be the answer.”
Golden Dome: A Space-Based Iron Dome
Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, Golden Dome will be a multi-layered space-based missile defense system capable of intercepting threats ranging from hypersonic missiles to drones.
The system requires a massive satellite network, real-time tracking, and rapid response capabilities — all of which are not feasible without cooperation from major tech firms.
Political Fallout: The Trump–Musk Rift
Only a week after Golden Dome was officially launched, tensions flared between Trump and Musk over political ideology.
Musk announced the formation of his own “America Party” and criticized Trump’s budget and defense strategy.
Analysts believe that this political clash prompted the White House to move away from SpaceX and explore alternative technology and defense partners.
Deadlines and Security Challenges
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a classified directive, laid out an aggressive timeline:
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Team formation within 30 days
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Initial design submission within 60 days
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Full implementation plan (including satellites and ground stations) within 120 days
Experts, however, caution that private satellite operators must be prepared to defend against cyberattacks and electronic warfare.
If successfully implemented, Golden Dome could elevate the United States’ space-based defense capabilities to an entirely new level — reshaping global military balance and geopolitics.
