The US Space Force budget for 2026 may increase by 40% compared to the current year. The main reason is former President Donald Trump’s ambitious project called The Golden Dome. This is a futuristic missile defense system that uses space-based detectors and weapons to protect against modern threats.
According to the Center for Space Policy and Strategy, this project was the key factor in the increase in funding. Trump announced the Golden Dome back in 2017, describing it as a multi-layered system capable of neutralizing air and ballistic threats.
Record spending on space
The proposed budget allocates $26.1 billion to the Space Force, as well as an additional $13.8 billion through a special bill. At a total of nearly $40 billion, this is $11.3 billion more than in 2025.
Separately, initial funding for the Golden Dome in the amount of $25 billion has already been approved. However, the total cost of the project could reach 175 billion, which has drawn criticism due to technical risks and doubts about its effectiveness.
A more aggressive approach to space
In addition to the Golden Dome, additional funds are being allocated to the development of military satellites, the X-37B space plane, and orbital situation monitoring systems. Funding for commercial satellites in low orbit will also increase, while the Pentagon’s own projects will receive less funding.
This indicates a change in strategy: the US is increasingly relying on the private sector for space technology.
Overall, the increase in the Space Force budget underscores a shift in emphasis in US military policy. The country is actively investing in space defense technologies to counter potential threats from competitors. And the Golden Dome is just one component of this new strategy.
However, at the same time, scientific areas of space research are suffering from cutbacks. For example, NASA risks receiving 25% less funding in 2026 than in the previous year.
Earlier, we reported on the way the world was preparing for orbital conflicts.
According to gizmodo.com
