Amazon(US:AMZN) Jin Shi Shu Ju·2025-07-23 02:03Core Insights - The Trump administration is expanding its search for partners in the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, reaching out to Amazon's Project Kuiper and major defense contractors, indicating a shift from reliance on SpaceX to a more diversified approach [1][2] - The Pentagon and White House officials began seeking alternatives to SpaceX before the public fallout between Trump and Musk, driven by concerns over over-reliance on a single partner for the ambitious $175 billion space-based missile defense system [1][2] - The Kuiper project, which aims to deploy 3,000 low Earth orbit satellites, is being considered as a significant option for the satellite layer of the "Golden Dome" plan, despite its current deployment lagging behind SpaceX [2][3] Company and Industry Summaries - SpaceX remains a key player in the "Golden Dome" project due to its unmatched launch capabilities, but its share in the project may decrease as the government seeks to involve other companies in the bidding process for future launches [2][3] - The budget for space-based communication services authorized by Congress has increased from $900 million to $13 billion, which is seen as a move to stimulate private sector satellite production [3] - Traditional defense giants like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris are also in discussions to participate in the "Golden Dome" project, with L3Harris highlighting the rising interest in its missile warning and tracking technologies [3][4] - The "Golden Dome" initiative is modeled after Israel's Iron Dome but is designed to be a more extensive and complex layered defense system requiring a vast satellite network [2][3] - The urgency of the "Golden Dome" project is underscored by directives for rapid deployment, with a timeline for team formation and system design submission set by the newly confirmed Space Force general [6]