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SpaceX has announced a landmark deal worth $1.05 billion with Sphere Corporation from South Korea, securing the rocket superalloys necessary for its ambitious Starship program and other space-based initiatives.
The decade-long agreement will see Sphere deliver aerospace-grade nickel and superalloys essential for rocket engines and launch vehicle components, marking a significant shift in SpaceX’s approach to component sourcing. Historically, the company has prioritized in-house production to control costs and accelerate innovation. However, as its operations scale, it appears that SpaceX is pivoting toward strategic outsourcing, particularly for components requiring ultra-specialized manufacturing.
Sphere Corporation has entered an elite group of Tier 1 suppliers globally capable of meeting stringent performance and certification standards demanded by the spaceflight industry. The company’s ability to secure a deal of this magnitude suggests its technological and quality credentials are comparable to global leaders in the aerospace sector. This development marks a significant milestone for South Korea’s emerging aerospace sector.
This monumental agreement will have far-reaching implications for SpaceX, as it gears up for its ambitious Starship program and other space-based endeavors.
Source: coincentral.com
