On March 24, 2026, Blackwave announced its strategic expansion into the United States during the SATELLITE 2026 conference in Washington, D.C. The Munich-based aerospace manufacturer has established its first U.S. operational hub in Lockhart, Texas, to better serve the rapidly growing North American launch and satellite markets.
By bringing its high-performance Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) closer to U.S. customers, Blackwave aims to address supply chain bottlenecks and provide mission-critical hardware with unprecedented speed.
Texas Operations: Scaling for the U.S. Launcher Market
The new facility in Lockhart initially focuses on specialized cleaning and final quality inspections to ensure rapid response times for domestic partners. Blackwave plans to ramp up to full-scale COPV manufacturing in Texas later this year, laying the foundation for long-term industrial growth in the United States.
A key highlight of the U.S. expansion is Blackwave’s entry into the large-volume launcher segment. The company is introducing a new 300-liter COPV, which will be manufactured locally. For the first time, this product will feature a stainless steel liner, offering compatibility with cryogenic and gaseous oxygen—a critical upgrade for launch vehicle manufacturers seeking simplified integration through weldable fittings and improved reliability.
Streamlined Procurement via COPV.com
Central to Blackwave’s U.S. strategy is its digital procurement platform, COPV.com. Launched to remove traditional request-for-quote (RFQ) delays, the web shop allows engineers and program managers to order flight-ready, off-the-shelf tanks instantly.
- Speed: Selected configurations are available with lead times as short as one week.
- Transparency: Users can access real-time pricing, technical specifications, CAD models, and compliance documentation.
- Accessibility: Direct purchase options are available for U.S. commercial customers, bypassing the lengthy procurement cycles that historically slowed development timelines.
Ending COPV Failure
The move to the United States aligns with Blackwave’s broader mission to “end COPV failure in spaceflight.” High-pressure vessels have historically been a common point of failure for both satellites and launch vehicles. By combining automated European manufacturing precision with local U.S. support and proximity, Blackwave is positioning itself as the benchmark supplier for mission-critical pressure systems.
Executive Perspective
“Our off-the-shelf approach has proven highly successful,” said Bastian Behrens, Founder and CEO of Blackwave. “Now we are bringing that same speed and reliability closer to customers in the United States—with Texas operations and instant availability as the new baseline.”
