By 
July 8th, 2026
Image credit: Hinrich Foundation and Visual Capitalist
The growing US-China space competition has been captured in a set of infographics produced by the Hinrich Foundation and Visual Capitalist.
A three-part visual essay spotlights these issues: Critical materials, global launch sites and the surge in space launches.
“The supply of critical materials needed for rockets, satellites, and other space technologies is provided by a wide array of countries, setting the stage for a superpower contest to secure control of and access to resources from gallium to titanium, rare gases, rhenium, and beryllium.”
Image credit: Hinrich Foundation and Visual Capitalist
“The US and China are competing to secure the edge in space-based infrastructure that already is starting to underpin the future of global trade. Launch sites are critical to space missions. Geographically large countries have the edge. The US dominates the space trade with 25 launch sites but China is closing in with 17.”
“The Third Space Age began about a decade ago and is marked by China’s surge in space launches in an ongoing contest with the US for the space economy, including a race for critical metals for satellite panels, radiation shields, specialty manufacturers, the deep state, private venture capital, and a vast swathe of consumer apps from ride-hailing to personal banking.”
Image credit: Hinrich Foundation and Visual Capitalist
To fully access this suite of essays, go to the Visual Capitalist website that focuses on topics including markets, technology, energy and the global economy at:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/hf09-leading-producers-space-race-materials/
Posted in Space News
