WASHINGTON — Senior leaders of the U.S. Space Force said President Trump’s ambitious missile defense initiative known as Golden Dome is still in its initial planning phase, with next steps to be directed by the White House. They also warned that early cost estimates may drastically underestimate the final price tag due to the program’s unprecedented complexity.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...