Vertical Integration: Why the Largest Builders Make Their Own Parts
How much of their supply chain do SpaceX, Amazon and Rocket Lab control, and what does it mean for everyone else?
Chapter summary
SpaceX builds most of its satellites' parts in its own factories, including, according to public reporting, Hall thrusters, star trackers, reaction wheels, antennas and laser terminals, and it builds about 70 satellites a week.
Key takeaways
- 1
Its 2026 filings still warn that it depends on third parties for certain key components, notably semiconductors and some raw materials.
- 2
Amazon integrates satellites in its own plant and buys more parts.
- 3
Rocket Lab is building a merchant version of vertical integration by acquisition: solar cells, reaction wheels, star trackers, optical terminals and, if its deal closes, the Iridium network.
Key figures in this chapter
- ~70 a week
- Starlink satellites built (Dec 2025–Feb 2026)
- 64.7%
- of active payloads are Starlink
- $189.5M
- Rocket Lab Space Systems revenue, Q2 2026
- ~$8B
- Rocket Lab–Iridium deal (pending)
Source: SpaceX filing; Setcoin space engine; Rocket Lab 8-K; reporting
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