In a dramatic shift within America’s defense strategy, former President Donald Trump has removed Elon Musk’s SpaceX from the $175 billion Golden Dome missile shield project, bringing Jeff Bezos’ Amazon into the spotlight.
Pentagon Rethinks SpaceX’s Role
The decision follows the public fallout on June 5 between Trump and Musk. Pentagon insiders had already raised concerns about SpaceX’s growing control over U.S. military communications. This caution has now transformed into action as the government taps alternative tech vendors.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper Steps In
Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which has so far deployed only 78 out of its planned 3,000 satellites, is being explored as the main satellite layer for Golden Dome — a system designed as a continental-scale version of Israel’s Iron Dome. Jeff Bezos confirmed earlier this year that Kuiper will have “defense applications,” positioning Amazon as a serious player in national security.
Musk Responds
Elon Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that SpaceX “never bid” on the Golden Dome project and remains focused on Mars colonisation ambitions. Nonetheless, industry experts believe SpaceX may retain a limited role, especially for launch operations where its Falcon 9 and Starship platforms remain unmatched.
Other Companies Join the Race
Traditional defense giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris are now in talks to provide components for the project. New contenders, including Rocket Lab and Stoke Space, are also being considered for contracts that once seemed reserved for SpaceX.
A senior Pentagon official clarified, “We’re bidding every launch. This isn’t a monopoly.” This competitive approach will allow both legacy and startup aerospace companies to contribute to the system, which is expected t