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Unidentified space company planning $1.8 billion in launch infrastructure, 600 jobs at Cape

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Unidentified space company planning .8 billion in launch infrastructure, 600 jobs at Cape

An unidentified space company plans to invest about $1.8 billion in capital improvements and create 600 jobs by developing a high-volume production facility, high bay and launch infrastructure for heavy-lift rocket hardware at Cape Canaveral, a Space Florida agenda memo indicates.

Space Florida officials declined to divulge further details on the colossal undertaking — which dwarfs most Brevard County secretive aerospace projects in scope.

What is the unidentified company? An obvious contender is SpaceX: Company officials hope to start launching Starship-Super Heavy mega-rocket systems from the Space Coast by 2026. An environmental study remains ongoing to rebuild Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for Starship launch and landing operations.

Other smaller space companies are also chasing heavy-lift rocket development, but remain in the early stages. Blue Origin is the notable exception, with its first 320-foot-plus New Glenn rocket standing vertical at the pad awaiting its maiden launch.  

Rocket photography: FLORIDA TODAY’s 2025 Space Launch Calendar is here

Here’s what we know: The Space Florida board of directors, which is chaired by Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, will discuss the proposed construction — which bears the secretive code name “Project Hinton” — during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The agenda memo said the 600 jobs will boast estimated annual salaries of $93,000. Project Hinton will enable rapid manufacturing, assembly, and integration of heavy-lift flight hardware — and “significantly increase the volume and mass of payload to orbit from Florida.”

“Time is of the essence due to significant customer demand driven by a considerable increase in space-based activities. Company plans to begin ordering of long-lead items and construction in January 2025,” the memo said.

By way of comparison, Blue Origin invested more than $1 billion revamping Launch Complex 36 — a former Atlas rocket pad — by building vehicle integration, first-stage refurbishment, propellant facilities and an environmental control center, per the company website. Construction wrapped up in 2021 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Regarding Project Hinton, the Space Florida board is expected to consider:

  • Up to $50 million in matching grant funds “for high-volume production facility, high bay, and related infrastructure.”
  • Up to $15 million for utility improvements, including power modifications and industrial wastewater treatment.

The unidentified company applied for funding via the Florida Spaceport Improvement Program, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation.

In an August vote, Space Florida authorized negotiations with FDOT for Project Liftoff. That was SpaceX’s plan to construct three new rocket landing zones at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX and FDOT were each expected to pay $13.3 million, with infrastructure project completion scheduled by the end of 2026.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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