Space Race Winner May Be Decided by a Metal Cap

In the US-China space race, victory may hinge on a little-known metal part: the propellant tank dome. This ellipsoidal bulkhead is several meters wide but only millimeters thick. It must withstand extreme internal pressure, vibration, and shock. The capsule-shaped end cap is also very hard to mass-produce. The country that can make these domes faster, cheaper, and more reliably will gain a critical edge in space exploration.