As the United States advances its ambitious Golden Dome missile defense strategy, we face a critical question: what constitutes a truly comprehensive defense system? While advanced tracking capabilities, AI-enabled data synthesis, interceptors and directed energy weapons rightfully command attention, we cannot focus solely on the terminal phase of the threat continuum. Effective missile defense must begin well before a missile leaves the ground.

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Eric Jensen is the CEO of ICEYE US, a company that develops synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, and Vice-Chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Space Leadership Council.