The U.S. Space Force has reportedly tasked SpaceX with building the core communications backbone for the next-generation airborne missile defense system project, "Golden Dome."
Reuters reported on the 26th (local time) that the U.S. Space Force signed a $2.29 billion (about 3.4 trillion won) contract with SpaceX.
The contract covers building a high-speed satellite communications network that links military sensors and weapons platforms deployed around the world. The project will consolidate various detection equipment and interception systems operated by the military into a single network, creating a foundation to deliver collected information more quickly.
In particular, the project includes building the backbone of the "Space Data Network (SDN)." The SDN backbone is a network architecture designed to transmit large volumes of data needed for military operations with low latency. It will send information obtained from missile warning and tracking sensors to interception systems in near real time.
Such communications paths are regarded as a key element of the Golden Dome concept pushed by the Donald Trump administration. Golden Dome is being pursued as a defense system that combines airborne and space-based surveillance and interception capabilities to counter missile threats. SpaceX is expected to deliver an SDN prototype capable of full operation by the end of next year.
Ryan Fraser, a U.S. Space Force colonel who leads the program, said, "The SDN backbone will serve as the foundation that supports the military's data transport mission by leveraging commercial-sector technology."