bottleneckScore 55/100Research
Rocket Lab electric propulsion thruster (Gauss) entering production to relieve supply bottleneck for satellite constellations
Peter Beck· Rocket Lab· Space· 2026-05-08· about Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)
“We unveiled our new electric propulsion thruster for satellites called Gauss at Space Symposium last month with a 200-unit production line already established and units delivered to ourselves for some of our own constellation programs. We have been inundated with inquiries from programs in need of hundreds of units each. We are ready to break the bottleneck on electric propulsion.”
Why it matters
Electric propulsion has been a critical supply constraint for satellite constellation operators. Rocket Lab's internal manufacturing solution eliminates external dependency and creates a picks-and-shovels opportunity for subsystem suppliers serving the propulsion ecosystem.
Investment implication
Suppliers of components to Gauss production (power electronics, propellant systems, precision manufacturing) and competitors to traditional EP suppliers (e.g., Busek, Aerojet Rocketdyne's VEVS) face margin pressure. Rocket Lab gains strategic leverage over competitors dependent on scarce EP supplies.