Palm Bay, Florida, September 15, 2025
News Summary
L3Harris and The Austin Co. finished a roughly $100 million, 92,000–94,000 sq ft satellite manufacturing complex in Palm Bay, Florida. The state-of-the-art facility includes three high bays with heavy overhead cranes, support spaces, enhanced security, and infrastructure upgrades to assemble, integrate and test satellite constellations supporting missile warning and defense under Project LEO and the Golden Dome effort. The site is expected to produce 50–100 satellites per year once ramped, create about 100 skilled jobs, and move finished satellites in sealed containers to nearby launch complexes, strengthening regional aerospace capacity and national defense production lines.
Palm Bay Opens $100M Satellite Manufacturing Plant to Support Project LEO and the Golden Dome
Summary
A new $100 million spacecraft and satellite manufacturing complex in Palm Bay, Florida, is complete and now open. The facility, reported at roughly 92,000–94,000 square feet, was delivered through a partnership between a major defense contractor and a design-build firm. It is intended to support Project LEO—the effort tied to the so-called Golden Dome space-based missile warning and defense architecture—and to speed production of next-generation satellites for hypersonic and advanced missile tracking.
What opened and why it matters
The newly completed complex houses manufacturing lines, integration and test areas, and specialized support spaces to assemble, integrate, and test full constellations of satellites. It was described by project materials as a state-of-the-art site meant to accelerate production of hardware that contributes to national missile warning and defense capabilities.
Design-build partner and delivery
The design-build partner managed planning, architecture, engineering, preconstruction, and construction management for the project. The contractor on the construction side delivered site upgrades, expanded infrastructure, and enhanced security features that are part of the unique needs for a facility that handles sensitive space systems. Project completion included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by industry, local officials, and customers.
Facilities and technical capabilities
Key facility features include three expansive high bays with large-capacity overhead cranes and roomy clean-floor areas designed for satellite assembly and testing. Support spaces and utilities were upgraded to streamline operations and to meet the unique security and environmental requirements common to defense space manufacturing. Finished satellites are planned to be transported to nearby launch facilities in hermetically sealed containers for integration with rockets.
Production scale and workforce
Company statements around the opening indicate the Palm Bay site could produce between 50 and 100 satellites a year when fully ramped, with ramp-up to full production expected within about six months of the opening. The project was reported to create about 100 new local jobs with a high average salary. The broader corporate investment cited totals more than 900,000 square feet of new and renovated advanced manufacturing space across the enterprise.
Program context and capabilities supported
The facility is part of a wider effort known as Project LEO that aims to deliver space-based missile warning and defense technologies, including sensors for hypersonic and ballistic tracking. The program builds on earlier prototype launches that placed several missile-tracking satellites into orbit. Ongoing development work includes multiple satellite builds and contracts for follow-on production tranches to support tracking layers for defense agencies.
Contracts and existing fleet
At the time of the facility opening, the contractor reported it already provides missile warning and defense capability with several satellites on orbit and has multiple satellites in development for hypersonic tracking. The company is under contract for additional tracking-layer satellites in future tranches and has previously delivered prototype satellites for government partners.
Local and regional impact
The site sits about an hour’s drive from nearby launch pads, making it convenient for final processing and transport to launch complexes. Local leaders and elected officials joined the opening to note the economic and security implications of the plant—highlighting the job creation, high-skill workforce needs, and the facility’s role in strengthening regional space and defense manufacturing capacity.
Project framing and next steps
The opening was framed by the companies involved as a milestone in continued investment in advanced aerospace manufacturing. The facility will move from commissioning into production, with ongoing efforts to staff, qualify processes, and begin steady satellite assembly and test operations to meet program timelines and government needs for missile warning and tracking.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the new Palm Bay facility?
The facility is designed to assemble, integrate, and test satellites that support missile warning, hypersonic tracking, and broader space-based defense capabilities tied to Project LEO and the Golden Dome concept.
How large is the new plant?
Project descriptions list the facility at approximately 92,000 to 94,000 square feet.
How much was invested in the expansion?
The reported investment for the Palm Bay expansion is approximately $100 million.
Who designed and built the facility?
A design-build firm served as the planning, architecture, engineering, and construction manager for the project, delivering the full suite of design and construction services for the new building and site upgrades.
What are the facility’s production capabilities?
When fully ramped, the site is expected to be capable of producing between 50 and 100 satellites per year, with a projected ramp-up period of about six months from the time of opening.
What special features does the plant include?
Key features include three large high bays with heavy-capacity overhead cranes, upgraded support spaces and utilities, enhanced security measures, and infrastructure to move completed hardware safely to nearby launch complexes.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investment | $100 million |
| Facility size | Approximately 92,000–94,000 sq ft |
| Location | Palm Bay, Florida |
| Purpose | Satellite assembly, integration, and test for missile warning and defense (Project LEO / Golden Dome) |
| Production capacity | 50–100 satellites per year (when ramped) |
| Ramp-up time | About six months to full production |
| High bays | Three expansive high bays with large-capacity overhead cranes |
| Workforce impact | Approximately 100 new jobs reported; high average salary |
| Security | Enhanced security features and unique access controls for sensitive manufacturing |
| Support | Upgraded utilities, site infrastructure, and processing spaces for streamlined operations |
| Nearby launch support | Close enough to regional launch complexes for sealed transport of completed hardware |
Photo credit: L3Harris expands its satellite integration and test facility in Palm Bay, Florida. Photo: L3Harris.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Aerospace Manufacturing & Design: L3Harris opens Palm Bay facility
- Wikipedia: L3Harris Technologies
- News 13 Orlando: L3Harris expansion supports America’s Golden Dome
- Google Search: Golden Dome for America
- Satellite Today: L3Harris expands satellite plant in Florida
- Google Scholar: Project LEO satellite missile warning
- Orlando Sentinel: Space Coast’s L3Harris opens $100M satellite facility
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Project LEO
- Business Wire: L3Harris expands Florida facility
- Google News: L3Harris Palm Bay facility
Author: Construction TX News
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