Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system options sent for approval

In the United States, U.S. Space Command announced on April 10, 2025, that it has completed options for the Golden Dome missile defense system, a project initiated during Donald Trump's first week in office. This groundbreaking system is designed to place weapons in space to intercept and destroy ground-based missiles shortly after their launch. The announcement was made as Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, spoke at the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, which is an industry event for defense firms and stakeholders involved in space defense technologies. The finalized options for Golden Dome were submitted to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for review and approval following a 60-day deadline set by Trump via an executive order issued in January. Military officials noted that these options were extensively vetted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, although specific details regarding the options remain undisclosed. The discussions surrounding the development of missile defense capabilities in space have intensified in light of advancements in hypersonic weapons, particularly a Chinese warhead system launched into orbit in 2021, which heightens the urgency for the U.S. to bolster its defenses. Col. Matthew Wroten, who oversees global warfare requirements within Space Command, stated that the submission includes cost estimates for the proposed options. While the overall budget for the defense sector is projected to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2026, the exact financial implications of the Golden Dome initiative remain unclear. The project, which has evolved from its former name Iron Dome to its current designation, aims to integrate existing missile defense mechanisms with innovative space-based technologies to establish a comprehensive, multilayered defense strategy. Moving forward, Space Command is focused on delineating specific requirements for the Golden Dome system. These requirements will serve as benchmarks for assessing the capabilities and commercially available technologies that thereby will inform initial fielding plans for this cutting-edge missile defense initiative within the coming years. The military's commitment to explore extensive solutions illustrates a strategic response to evolving international threats in the domains of space and missile warfare.