US Government Study Identifies Critical Component Shortages and Regulatory Hurdles

A new study by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) identifies nine critical components presenting the biggest obstacles for manufacturers of satellites and rockets. The study found that demand is outpacing industry capacity, legacy regulations are driving up costs, and the supplier base remains fragile. The AIA-PwC study proposes a range of recommendations to address these challenges, including improved cooperation between government and industry, expanded testing and qualification capacity, and reduced regulatory burdens. The study was announced by AIA president and CEO Eric Fanning, who emphasized the need for a resilient space supply chain as a national imperative.