Space economy · critical raw materials
Critical minerals for the space industry
Satellites and launchers depend on a handful of critical minerals, and for several of them one country controls the key stage of supply. Here is which ones, what they are used for, and how much of Europe's imports come from China.
What a satellite is made of
| Mineral | Use in space | Leading country, tightest stage | China's share of EU imports, August 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallium | gallium arsenide solar cells | 99% China | 7% |
| Germanium | substrates for multi-junction solar cells | China leads | 59% |
| Rare earths | magnets in reaction wheels, actuators and motors | 94% China | 84% |
| Titanium | structures, fuel tanks and engines | 67% China | 4% |
| Nickel | superalloys for rocket engines | 59% Indonesia | 1% |
| Cobalt | superalloys for rocket engines | 76% DR Congo | 27% |
| Lithium | satellite batteries | 70% China | 32% |
World shares: USGS and IEA via OreOrbit. EU imports: value of imports from outside the EU, Eurostat Comext. Typical uses; individual designs differ.
Key questions
Which critical minerals does the space industry depend on?
Satellites and launchers rely on gallium and germanium for solar cells, rare-earth magnets in reaction wheels, actuators and motors, titanium for structures and fuel tanks, nickel and cobalt superalloys for rocket engines, and lithium for batteries.
Why is gallium important for satellites?
Gallium arsenide is used in the high-efficiency solar cells that power most satellites. 99% of world primary gallium was produced in China in 2024 (USGS MCS 2026).
How dependent is Europe on China for these minerals?
Across the ten critical minerals OreOrbit tracks, China supplied 32% of the value of the EU's imports from outside the EU in August 2026 (OreOrbit Dependency Index, Eurostat data). The share varies widely by mineral; see the table above.
How can a space company check its exposure?
OreOrbit's free quick check includes 'Aircraft and space' as a product type (bohemiadefense.com/atlas/#check). For a specific product line, Bohemia Defense offers a readiness review that maps the actual parts.