Can the 175 billion dollar Golden Dome turn into a disaster?

President Donald Trump’s great dream was the Golden Dome, the defense system that protects the USA against Russian missiles. The key element in that system will be the space-based defensive weapons. The Golden Dome is not a new idea. Originally, the concept of a space-based defense system was introduced during the Reagan era. The name for that program was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). 

The main problem with that program was its main components. The main role was in space-based killer satellites. And those satellites are good targets for the anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. The simplest way to destroy the space weapon platform is to shoot steel nails into the same orbiter where those space-based killer satellites orbit. If those iron nails orbit in the opposite direction to the killer satellites, they will impact that satellite with a very big force. 

The biggest problem with the spaceborne anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems was how to control those satellites at opposite sides of the Earth. The answer was the high-orbiting relay satellites that allow communication over the horizon. The problem was with this communication. It was easy to jam. 

The new systems can use laser communication. But another version. Uses the AI-based target recognition and attack systems. When those systems get an order, they begin their missions. Same way. As aerospace and space-based systems operate. 

That thing immediately destroys the space satellite system. Another way is to shoot the nuclear weapons into orbit and then detonate them. Those small nuclear detonators can form the EMP that destroys those satellites. The small-sized ASAT weapon might not be noticed by the satellite. And then that system can destroy the target. The ASAT weapon can be similar. All the time. It might be the air-launched missile that shot from jet fighters. 

An artist's impression of a futuristic anti-satellite weapon capable of destroying satellites using its "circular saw" extensions (Wikipedia, Anti-satellite weapon). Those systems can also be equipped with long “whips” that allow them to shoot incoming missiles. Those rockets can also carry directed energy weapons. Some kind of cannons that shoot iron projectiles at a satellite. 

Those weapons can be shot. From an F-15, which is the main platform for the Reagan-era U.S. ASAT systems, and a MiG-31. But it’s possible that those small missiles are also mounted on the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). Those missiles can also have microwave-boosted warheads whose mission is to paralyze the satellite. The system can use the fragmented warheads to destroy those satellites. 

The main problem in this system development is this. Those killer satellites cause a need. To develop another killer satellite that is used to destroy the first killer satellites. That will accelerate the weapon race. The fact is that satellites play a key role in modern warfare. They play a key role in communication, targeting, and other things. Like surveillance. 

Defense Intelligence Agency assessment of current and future missile threats to the U.S. in 2025 (Wikipedia, Golden Dome)

Without communication satellites, things like nuclear submarines leave without nuclear weapon-launching codes. This makes satellites important targets for the military. And things like ASAT weapons cause a need to develop the systems that allow satellites to defend themselves. Those systems that use lasers, microwaves, or kinetic methods to destroy incoming ASAT systems give them the ability to attack other satellites. 

Because Russia is developing killer satellites that require counteractions. The miniature shuttles offer a good ASAT platform. The fact is that all satellites are ASAT-capable systems. There are tests. These satellites collide on purpose. With each other. The reason why those tests are being prohibited is that they fill orbiters with debris. But the ASAT programs are returning because of new weapons. 

Spaceborne kinetic energy weapons like “Rods of God” type railguns. Causes a need to react fast. Those systems use tungsten flechettes whose purpose is to give a precise strike with kinetic energy penetrators.  Another version is the bombs that are filled with concrete. Those concrete bombs can be parked on the orbiter. And then the rocket system makes them dive into the atmosphere. The kinetic bombardment system does not necessarily need railguns. 

Pegasus-rocket under B-52. 

The system can be the rocket launcher that shot into orbit. When that rocket launcher comes over the target area. It shoots its rockets at the target. Those rockets can be aerodynamically shaped rockets. These are used in aircraft. The concrete helps to keep them in the right shape before they impact the ground. 

There is a possibility that killer satellites can drop drones into operational areas. Those drones can travel through the atmosphere inside the heat shield capsule. When they are at the right altitude. The carrier capsule opens, and those AI-controlled drones start searching for their targets. 

There are suspicions that many nations that have the miniature shuttles are at least planning to create STEALTH versions of those systems. Those systems are very hard to create. Miniature shuttles can act as hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV). Things like the Atlas or the Soyuz-FG rocket. (Soyuz Fregat) can transport them out of the atmosphere. Then those shuttles wait for their orders in the orbiter. 

Miniature shuttles can also carry nuclear weapons. Those highly advanced fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS) can dive against the target. If those systems are not needed, they can return to base. The modern drone technology. Allows the creation of cruise missiles that patrol in the atmosphere. And if they will not get orders to attack. They can return bases if they are not needed. But things like nuclear power technology. Allow developers to make systems that can patrol for years in the high atmosphere. 

Another thing that can cause problems is the new atmospheric missiles. Those hypersonic missiles can be mounted on strategic bombers. Things like Pegasus rockets can be transformed into hypersonic missiles. But those hypersonic missiles can be installed in the nose of the large ICBM missiles. The ICBM transports the hypersonic vehicle to a ballistic trajectory. And then those hypersonic missiles dive into the atmosphere. 

https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07/its-hunting-season-in-orbit-as-russias-killer-satellites-mystify-skywatchers/

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/china-russia-have-weaponised-space-22697271

https://futurism.com/trump-golden-dome-disaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_(rocket_family)

https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOBS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dome_(missile_defense_system)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_Pegasus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz-FG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative