When SpaceX acquired Hexagon Masterworks and its Westminster, Maryland, facility in February 2026, it gained specialized expertise in high-pressure rocket-fuel storage systems. Based on the jobs it's now posting, those systems will likely continue to be manufactured in Westminster.
SpaceX has long pursued vertical integration, bringing critical manufacturing in-house rather than relying on suppliers. According to industry analysis of the deal, the Hexagon acquisition appears to accelerate that strategy at a crucial moment.
Type 4 composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), like the ones Hexagon made for SpaceX, are highly engineered components designed to store gases like helium and nitrogen at extreme pressures while minimizing weight. They store the pressurized gases that control rocket engines, manage fuel systems, and support spacecraft operations.
As SpaceX ramps up Starship development and maintains an aggressive Falcon 9 launch cadence, the ability to produce and iterate on these pressure vessels internally could become increasingly valuable.
By acquiring Hexagon Masterworks, SpaceX appears to have eliminated vendor dependency on a component required for every launch.
What the Westminster SpaceX Job Postings Suggest
The job postings for SpaceX's Westminster location offer clues about the likely work being performed:
Welders (Starship) would operate advanced manufacturing equipment, including robots, spot welders, hand-held laser welders, automated welders, and seam welders. They would perform sheet metal assembly, blending, and fit-up work to aerospace specifications.
Quality Inspectors (Starship) would verify certifications and specifications, perform surface plate inspections of machined aerospace parts, and inspect flight hardware in accordance with engineering drawings and SpaceX specifications.
NDE (Non-Destructive Examination) Inspectors would conduct the specialized testing required to certify the integrity of pressure vessels without damaging them.
Office Manager responsibilities would include coordinating construction and facilities teams, managing quality audits, and handling ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance—the federal export control regulations that govern aerospace manufacturing.
Together, these roles and the location suggest a production facility for aerospace hardware, rather than a test lab or administrative office.
The Supply Chain Strategy
The timing of this acquisition suggests strategic thinking on SpaceX's part. SpaceX is in the midst of an unprecedented operational tempo, launching Falcon 9 rockets at record frequency while developing Starship for eventual Mars missions. Each launch, including test flights, appears to require pressure vessels.
Rather than negotiate with external suppliers, wait for delivery windows, and manage external manufacturing timelines, SpaceX appears to have chosen to own the production capability. The company could modify designs on the fly to suit Starship's evolving needs. It could scale production with fewer external constraints.
At approximately $15 million, the acquisition price appears modest relative to the strategic value of owning a fully operational manufacturing facility with established expertise in a specialized, critical technology.
What's Next at Westminster SpaceX
The April 2026 building permits filed for the Westminster Technology Park location describe new concrete masonry buildings under the project name "SpaceX." These suggest the company could be planning expansions or modifications to the inherited Hexagon facility.
SpaceX has not responded to a request for more information about the Westminster location. This story and others will be updated as more information becomes available.