British media outlet The Sun, in a lengthy article, reveals US President Donald Trump's grand plans for creating a new advanced air defense system that will be able to detect missiles coming from space.
This project, blessed with the name "Golden Dome", will be an American version of the well-known Israeli defense system that proved its effectiveness with Hamas attacks, "Iron Dome", but much more ambitious and advanced than the latter.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, has been named as one of the key figures to lead the construction of this system. Trump has signed an executive order ordering the start of work on the project, stating that missile attacks pose the most catastrophic threat to the United States.
The project is part of Trump's broader plan to reform the US military in the face of growing threats from China, Russia and Iran. Golden Dome will operate using new technologies that include more than 1,000 satellites in orbit to detect missiles in real time, as well as about 200 armed satellites that can neutralize enemy missiles with other missiles or perhaps laser beams.
SpaceX is set to build a key part of the system, called the “custody layer,” which consists of satellites that will detect and track the trajectory of the missiles. However, the company will not be involved in arming the satellites.
Two other technology companies are also involved in the project: Palantir, which will provide software for real-time data analysis, and Anduril, which is expected to provide autonomous drones and protective equipment. All three companies were founded by prominent Trump political supporters.
According to sources in Washington, the total cost of the system could reach hundreds of billions of dollars, while the first phase of SpaceX's satellite design alone could cost up to $10 billion. The company has proposed offering its service on a "subscription" basis to the government, where the government would pay for the use of the technology but not own it, an unusual approach for such a critical project.
Although the Pentagon has given positive signals about SpaceX's involvement, some military officials are skeptical about the subscription model and the very possibility that these private companies could build such a complex and vital system for national defense.
At the moment, the plan is still in its early stages and the final composition of the project could change. However, if realized, the “Golden Dome” would represent a revolution in American air defense and a major step towards the militarization of space. (A2 Televizion)
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