bottleneckScore 70/100Research
VAST vertically integrating custom valve manufacturing in-house to accelerate timelines and improve safety over traditional 2-year, $5M supplier lead times
Max Haot· Launcher / Vast· Space· 2026-05-20· about VAST
“At Vast, we chose to vertically integrate in all of the custom valves we need. We designed them in-house, we machined them in-house, we test them in-house with people that have done it before... buying a CODS valve, like a component of the shelf, you can get them in a few months. If you need a custom valve and you call a valve supplier, it usually takes $5 million and two years, right?”
Why it matters
Custom valve suppliers represent a critical bottleneck in human spaceflight hardware development. Valve manufacturers are typically gatekeeping 2-year lead times and significant costs, forcing space companies to vertically integrate or develop in-house capabilities.
Investment implication
Suppliers of precision machining equipment, valve design software, or materials handling systems for aerospace could benefit from increased in-house valve manufacturing by VAST and competitors. Conversely, traditional valve suppliers may face margin pressure from aerospace companies vertically integrating.