We’re exploding!

Well, not really, but yes.

Read this to see what I mean.

By J.C. Carnahan – Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal

Mar 4, 2025

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• SpaceX plans $1.8 billion expansion in Florida, creating 600 jobs.
• New Gigabay facility will support Starship operations by 2026.
• Starship could launch from Kennedy Space Center this year.

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Elon Musk is expanding his SpaceX footprint in Florida, a move likely to enhance the state’s position as a leader in space innovation and manufacturing. SpaceX announced March 3 that it is planning to build a new 380-foot-tall facility at Cape Canaveral where it will eventually launch its massive Starship vehicle.

The busy space technology company announced a construction project on the Space Coast that is expected to include as least $1.8 billion of SpaceX capital investment and generate an estimated 600 full-time jobs by 2030.

The new development, coined “Project Hinton” when Space Florida’s board of directors approved plans for a high-volume production facility, high bay and launch infrastructure in December, comes with matching funds of up to $65 million via the Spaceport improvement Program.

“SpaceX’s investment in Florida is a major victory for our state and the future of the space industry,” Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue said in a press release. “Florida continues to set the pace for space innovation – breaking records with 93 launches in 2024 – and the state is on track to continue this record-breaking momentum into the future as a national leader in space manufacturing, launches, and business development.”

The move by SpaceX is intended to expand its Starship operations, ramping up the volume of rocket launches, and sending “millions of tons of payload to Mars.”

SpaceX stated on its website that site preparations at Kennedy Space Center have already begun for its new Gigabay facility, which will neighbor the HangerX refurbishment building. Gigabay is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The 400-foot-tall Starship, currently undergoing flight testing and development in South Texas, could launch from the Space Coast for the first time by the end of this year.

That timeline relies on building and installing a launch-and-catch site at Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A in the coming months. SpaceX had previously installed a launch tower at the site in 2022.

In the meantime, the company is also designing and planning a co-located manufacturing facility in Florida “to enable initial Starship flights from Florida while our Space Coast Starship manufacturing, integration, and refurbishment facilities are being completed.” The “super heavy booster” and upper stages of Starship will be shipped via barge from Texas to Florida to help build the fleet.

“Access to space is a critical and growing need for U.S. national security, leadership in science, the country’s exploration goals, and for the growth of the economy,” SpaceX said.

Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long said in a press release that the Gigabay project will help Florida solidify itself as the world’s hub for aerospace commerce.

“It builds on the foundation we’ve laid over the past decade and accelerates our vision for the future, one where Florida is the choice for the best minds, the boldest innovators, and the most forward-thinking investments,” Long said. “Success in space requires a holistic approach to infrastructure, strategy, and talent, and Florida is leading the way.”