SpaceX’s expansion of its Starlink ‘Megaconstellation’ continues at pace. Over the weekend, another 23 V2 satellites were launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), pushing the active total past 7,000 - and moving the network closer to its ambitious target of 42,000 satellites.
Helium plays a critical, if often overlooked, role throughout a satellite's journey from production to orbit. It’s indispensable in spaceflight - used as an inert purge gas for rocket engines to prevent combustion risks, and to pressurize fuel tanks after propellant is depleted, maintaining structural integrity. It’s also essential in cryogenic cooling systems, satellite electronics, and the precision manufacturing of space-grade components. Put simply: no helium, no launch.
Starlink, owned and operated by SpaceX, aims to deliver global high-speed internet coverage from space. Its potential impact? Transformational - not just for remote connectivity, but for the entire $630 billion global space economy, which is projected to surge to $1.8 trillion by 2035. Satellite-based communications, data services, and commercial space technologies are expected to drive much of that growth.
While headlines focus on rocket launches and orbital breakthroughs, a quieter - but equally critical - story is unfolding here on Earth: the rising demand for helium and other strategic raw materials. Without a stable supply of these inputs, U.S. leadership in the global space economy risks being undermined. This challenge is amplified by the country’s growing reliance on helium sourced from geopolitically unstable or export-sensitive regions - a growing concern for an industry that depends on consistent, jurisdictionally secure supply chains.
Should helium availability become constrained, the launch cadence of satellite constellations like Starlink could stall. But the consequences wouldn’t end there. From semiconductor fabrication and quantum R&D to med-tech cryogenics and renewable energy systems, many of America’s most advanced industries rely on the very same helium that quietly keeps the space economy afloat.
The rise of Starlink’s ‘Megaconstellation’ is visionary and is undoubtedly shaking-up domestic resource strategy. As commercial space activity accelerates, the U.S. will need reliable, scalable helium supply from within its own borders to ensure it can meet both public and private sector demand. Upon making a decision to go into production, Pulsar Helium’s Topaz project located in Minnesota, stands ready to meet that demand.
From national security to economic resilience, helium is no longer a niche industrial gas - it’s a critical enabler of the global space economy. Smart capital is increasingly recognizing its strategic importance, and the race to secure reliable supply is well underway.
Pulsar Helium’s shares trade on TSXV: PLSR | OTCQB: PSRHF | AIM: PLSR
Disclaimer
This article contains information based on current market conditions and publicly available data. It does not constitute financial advice, and investors should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.
Marc Farrington PR & Partnerships marc@pulsarhelium.com #PLSRINSIGHTS Follow us on X