The Pentagon’s push to militarise outer space through the ambitious Golden Dome missile-defence project is already creating financial shockwaves across the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies. Announced for completion by 2028, the programme carries an initial price tag of $175 billion, but defence experts warn that long-term costs could soar to $500-$800 billion, straining federal budgets and forcing cuts to key domestic programmes.