A significant new defense initiative, dubbed “Golden Dome for America,” was launched on January 27 by President Donald Trump via an executive order, aiming to develop a comprehensive missile defense shield for the U.S. homeland. The name, initially “Iron Dome for America,” evokes Israel’s successful short-range rocket defense system. This revives concepts similar to the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as “Star Wars”. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, reportedly partnering with software firm Palantir and drone-builder Anduril, has emerged as a frontrunner for developing key parts of the Golden Dome, particularly the custody layer. L3Harris Technologies has recently completed a $125 million expansion at its space manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne to support the urgent need for on-orbit technology for the Golden Dome.