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.
New $100M Palm Bay satellite plant completed to support Project LEO and the Golden Dome effort
A new state-of-the-art spacecraft and satellite manufacturing complex opened in Palm Bay, Florida, after a reported $100 million expansion. The project adds roughly 92,000–94,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space and is intended to support Project LEO and the broader space-based missile warning and defense effort often called the Golden Dome.
What was delivered and who built it
The expansion was completed through a partnership between a major defense systems firm and a design-build contractor that provided planning, architecture, engineering, preconstruction, and construction management. The construction partner handled the full design-build role and turned over a complex described by the owner as a modern satellite integration and test facility.
Facility size, layout and capabilities
The new complex spans roughly 92,000–94,000 square feet, depending on the source. It includes three expansive high bays equipped with large-capacity overhead cranes to move and assemble satellite hardware. Support spaces were upgraded and new site infrastructure was added to streamline operations, including expanded utilities and enhanced security measures to meet unique program needs.
Purpose and program support
The facility is meant to assemble, integrate, and test full constellations of satellites tied to national missile warning and defense work under Project LEO and the Golden Dome concept. The work centers on satellites designed to identify, track, and help defend against hypersonic and advanced missile threats. The program ties into other national efforts in missile warning and defense and is part of a larger investment in advanced space manufacturing.
Production capacity and workforce
Company officials have said the Palm Bay plant could produce between 50 and 100 satellites per year when operating at scale. The expansion is expected to create about 100 new jobs at an average reported salary of roughly $105,000 per year. The site is close to eastern Florida launch facilities, with finished satellites to be transported in hermetically sealed containers for rocket integration.
Broader company investments and context
The Palm Bay expansion is one part of a nationwide manufacturing growth plan that the company says will add more than 900,000 square feet of new and renovated advanced production space across multiple sites. Other recent moves include an expansion of a payload manufacturing site in the Midwest focused on infrared sensor payloads for defense and weather. The firm holds multiple contracts to build tracking-layer satellites for national missile defense customers.
Security, special features and site improvements
The facility was built with specific security requirements in mind. Site upgrades include enhanced perimeter and facility controls, secure support areas, and infrastructure changes to handle sensitive hardware and testing. The manufacturing bays are designed for clean assembly and to support rapid flow from integration to testing and shipment.
Local and program reactions
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the facility opening, attended by local leaders, government customers, and business representatives. Local officials highlighted the project’s role in strengthening national security and bringing high-skill jobs to the area. Company leaders framed the achievement as a milestone in continued investment in advanced aerospace manufacturing.
Program and industry context
Project LEO and the Golden Dome architecture have been described as major national efforts to build space-based missile warning and defense capabilities. The program builds on earlier prototype launches and ongoing contracts to field multiple tracking-layer satellites. Defense leaders and program managers have urged industry to accelerate production and scale up quickly to meet program goals, while agency officials remain cautious in public details.
Photo credit associated with the project materials notes: L3Harris expands its satellite integration and test facility in Palm Bay, Florida. Photo: L3Harris.
FAQ
What is the new Palm Bay facility?
The site is a newly completed satellite integration and test complex added as part of a roughly $100 million expansion to support Project LEO and space-based missile warning and defense work.
How large is the facility?
Sources report the facility at about 92,000–94,000 square feet.
Who designed and built the project?
The project was delivered under a design-build approach by a construction and engineering partner that provided planning, architecture, engineering, preconstruction, and construction management services.
What can the facility do?
The complex supports assembly, integration, and testing of full satellite constellations. It includes three large high bays with overhead cranes and secure support spaces to handle sensitive defense hardware.
How many jobs will it create?
The expansion is expected to bring roughly 100 new jobs, with an average reported salary in the six-figure range.
When will it reach full production?
Company projections suggested ramp-up to full production in a matter of months after opening, with potential output of 50 to 100 satellites per year when fully scaled.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project name | Project LEO / Golden Dome support |
| Investment | $100 million expansion |
| Size | Approximately 92,000–94,000 sq ft |
| High bays | Three expansive bays with large-capacity overhead cranes |
| Primary use | Assemble, integrate, and test satellite constellations for missile warning and defense |
| Jobs | About 100 new positions, average reported salary near $105,000 |
| Site work | Expanded infrastructure, support spaces, and enhanced security features |
| Production potential | Reported potential to produce 50–100 satellites per year at full scale |
| Nearby launch access | Located about an hour’s drive from eastern Florida launch sites for rocket integration |
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
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