The US President Donald Trump has announced a new missile defence system plan, named the Golden Date. This name is derived from Israel’s Iron Dome, this system will be operational from 2029, when Trump’s term in office ends. As the president said, this Golden Dome can intercept missiles even if they are launched from space.
The Golden Dome is the first weapon that the US will be putting in space. Trump said his team has created the architecture of this breakthrough defense system that can counter the next-generation aerial threats to the US, including cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
He announced that US Space Force General Michael Guetlein will be leading this program, and it would be a $175 billion project. This initiative is viewed as the keystone to Trump’s military planning.
The purpose of the Golden Dome is to create a network of satellites to detect, track, and potentially intercept incoming missiles. The shield can easily deploy hundreds of satellites for missile detection and tracking.
The Iron Dome of Israel is mainly used for short-range rockets, mainly from Hamas. Golden Dome is designed to be used against the bigger and advanced dangers.
There is the possibility that the US might face sophisticated attacks. While Iron Dome intercepts slow and low-attitude missiles, China and Russia hold intercontinental ballistic missiles, including some that can travel at hypersonic speeds.
Both nations, Russia and China, have already slammed the concept of Golden Dome as deeply destabilizing and said it risked turning space into battle battlefield.
According to the report by NPR, the space-based interceptors are likely to form the conduit of the Golden Dome System. This idea includes a range of satellites that can detect and destroy missiles just after launch, mainly during their boost phase, when they are at their most vulnerable position.
