For most of its history, the United States has been largely insulated from foreign threats. Vast oceans made it an impractical destination for invading armies before the advent of modern aviation and ballistics. And even now, its size and relative distance from adversaries are logistical deterrents.
But threats are evolving fast.
Next-generation missiles and long-range drones can bypass geographic barriers that once seemed impenetrable. North Korea, for example, has already developed intercontinental ballistic missiles with enough range to reach the continental United States, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency. China and Russia have the same capabilities, with nearly 900 intercontinental ballistic missiles between them. And then there are new hypersonic weapons that can travel faster than the speed of sound.
In the face of these threats, the United States needs new infrastructure. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2025 calling for the development of a comprehensive missile defense system in the mold of Israel’s Iron Dome. Dubbed the “Golden Dome for America,” the space-enabled system will use advanced satellites and sensors to deter, detect and destroy incoming hypersonic and ballistic missiles aimed at the United States.
