Pentagon Unveils Golden Dome: 21 Satellites Launched to Secure US Missile Defense Shield

Pentagon Deploys First Batch of Satellites for Golden Dome Missile-Defense Shield In a major milestone for the Pentagon's ambitious missile-defense program, 21 satellites were successfully launched from California on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch marks the beginning of the deployment of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) first-generation constellation, which will link sensors with shooters to provide real-time tracking and data relay capabilities. The Falcon 9 took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:12 am PDT (10:12 am EDT; 14:12 UTC) and headed south over the Pacific Ocean before releasing the 21 military-owned satellites into orbit. The satellites will boost themselves to a final altitude of approximately 600 miles (1,000 kilometers), where they will begin several weeks of activations and checkouts. "We had a great launch today for the Space Development Agency, putting this array of space vehicles into orbit in support of their revolutionary new architecture," said Col. Ryan Hiserote, system program director for the SDA. "This is an exciting step forward for our nation's missile-defense capabilities." The deployment of the first 21 satellites is a crucial step towards completing the build-out of the Tranche 1 constellation, which will consist of 154 satellites in total. The Pentagon plans to launch the remaining 133 satellites over the next nine months. The Golden Dome missile-defense shield is designed to provide real-time tracking and data relay capabilities for ground-based sensors and shooters. This will enable more effective detection and engagement of ballistic missiles, making it a cornerstone of the nation's defense against emerging threats. The SDA's constellation is based on a revolutionary new architecture that uses commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components to reduce costs and increase flexibility. The satellites are designed to be modular and scalable, allowing for easy upgrades and additions as needed. "This launch marks an important milestone in the development of our nation's space-based missile-defense capabilities," said a Pentagon spokesperson. "We look forward to continuing this effort and delivering a robust and effective system to protect our nation and its interests." The deployment of the SDA constellation is expected to have significant implications for national security, enabling more effective detection and engagement of ballistic missiles. The system will also provide valuable data on space-based sensors and shooters, paving the way for future advancements in missile-defense technology. As the next phase of the program unfolds, the Pentagon will continue to work with industry partners to develop and deploy the remaining satellites. With this launch marking a major milestone, the nation's defense against emerging threats has taken a significant step forward. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*