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The Pentagon is preparing to carry out the first test of President Trump’s ambitious space-based missile defense system, known as the Golden Dome, by the fourth quarter of 2028, according to a report.
This timeline aligns with Trump’s stated goal to “have it done in three years” and comes as defense contractors are actively seeking contracts for the development of the high-tech system.
“They want a win to point to in November [2028],” a defense official told CNN. “And DoD [Department of Defense] wants to avoid anything they perceive will slow them down.”
The Missile Defense Agency is expected to lead the test, which has been named FTI-X—short for “Flight Test Integrated”—to evaluate the Golden Dome’s suite of sensors and weapons systems.
President Trump has estimated the project will cost around $175 billion. He appointed Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chair of operations at the Space Force, to lead the effort back in May. Congress has already allocated $25 billion through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed into law last month.
Military interest in space-based missile defense isn’t new, dating back to the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as “Star Wars,” introduced under President Ronald Reagan.
Space-based systems offer the advantage of intercepting missiles much earlier in their flight paths compared to current ground-based technologies. They can also overcome geographic constraints and strike when enemy missiles are slower and more vulnerable.
However, there are significant challenges. Technological demands are steep, costs are high, and such a system could prompt rival nations to accelerate efforts to militarize space.
The defense official cited by CNN described the effort as a “hard problem, and technically very risky,” adding, “The possible number of satellites needed to achieve a probability of engagement success is going to be very high, given the time and area needed to cover the continental United States.”
The 2028 test is reportedly considered “phase one” of the broader project, with numerous private firms competing for development contracts.
While modeled in part on Israel’s Iron Dome system, the Golden Dome is expected to address far more complex threats, including ballistic and hypersonic missiles that could be launched from much greater distances.
“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world,” Trump said in May.
Gen. Guetlein acknowledged the technical hurdles at a recent summit. “I think the real technical challenge will be building of the space-based interceptor,” he said. “That technology exists, I believe. I believe we have proven every element of the physics, that we can make it work.”
“What we have not proven is, first, can I do it economically, and then second, can I do it at scale? Can I build enough satellites to get after the threat? Can I expand the industrial base fast enough to build those satellites?”
The project coincides with advancements in the commercial space sector, with entrepreneurs like Elon Musk helping drive down satellite launch costs.
The Defense Department declined to comment on the report.
