Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly the ‘frontrunner’ for Trump’s missile shield contract
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Summary
SpaceX is reportedly in the lead to help develop Trump’s proposed “Iron Dome for America” missile defence shield, with the Elon Musk-owned company understood to be working with data analysis firm Palantir and defence company Anduril to build “key parts” of the system.
SpaceX has proposed launching hundreds of satellites to both track and destroy enemy missiles, and is said to be pitching its involvement in the project as a subscription service that would require the US government to pay a annual sum for its satellites.
Musk subsequently denied that SpaceX had bid for a contract on the project, but did state that the company would be willing to help if Trump made such a request.
Estimates have suggested that realising Trump’s vision for the system could take up to seven years and cost $10bn or more.