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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Firefly Aerospace Plans Launch-Manufacturing Spaceport in Cape Canaveral, Florida

02/22/2019
Firefly Aerospace Inc. will invest $52 million to establish a new launch and manufacturing project in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company plans to create more than 200 jobs.

The facility, located on 18.2 acres, encompasses approximately 180,000-square feet with an option to double its footprint. According to Governor Ron DeSantis Office, this new project will include the capability to locally manufacture, test and launch rockets delivering payloads that will harness the commercial potential of space exploration.

“As the world’s premiere gateway to space, Florida remains the preferred launch site for sending humans and cargo into space,” said Governor DeSantis. “Firefly’s decision to establish launch and manufacturing activities on Florida’s Space Coast confirms the commercial advantages of conducting business in our state and reaffirms Florida’s position as a national leader in innovation and job growth.”

The Firefly launch and manufacturing facilities will enhance the capabilities of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The redevelopment of Space Launch Complex 20 will add new orbital launch capacity to Cape Canaveral Spaceport, officials noted.

Additionally, the redevelopment of the historic launch complex will result in activation of a state-of-the-art small satellite launch vehicle launch pad and new propellant servicing, electrical and communications capabilities.

According to state officials, firefly’s manufacturing facility directly aligns with the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Master Plan mission to foster the growth of the multi-function support area. The facility will bring new manufacturing, assembly, integration and test services which will contribute to the growing cluster of diversified commercial aerospace support activities at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The land for the project will be leased by Space Florida.

The project also directly supports small satellite and large constellation launch operations at Cape Canaveral Spaceport. In 2018, Space Florida entered into a Right of Entry agreement with the United States Airforce to allow Space Florida to enable the redevelopment of the historic 30-acre site for commercial launch.

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