Terran Orbital to Build $300M Satellite Facility in Florida

Terran Orbital Announces Major Manufacturing Facility in Florida

Terran Orbital, a satellite manufacturing firm, announced on Monday its plans to establish a new space vehicle production facility on Florida’s Space Coast. This project represents a significant investment of $300 million.

Facility Capabilities and Scale

The new factory will span 660,000 square feet and is designed for high-volume production. It will have the capacity to manufacture a diverse range of space vehicles annually.

• Production of up to 1,000 complete satellites per year is anticipated.
• Over 1 million individual satellite components will be produced annually.

This facility will be the largest of its kind globally, solidifying Terran Orbital’s position in the space industry.

Company Background and Growth

Founded in 2013, Terran Orbital initially gained prominence through the acquisition of nanosatellite developer Tyvak. Despite its growth, the company has historically maintained a relatively discreet operational profile.

In 2017, Lockheed Martin acquired a minority stake in Terran Orbital, signaling confidence in the company’s potential. Currently, Terran operates a 128,000-square-foot facility located in Irvine, California.

CEO and co-founder Marc Bell recently indicated in an interview with TechCrunch that specific details regarding Terran’s current manufacturing capacity and total satellite production numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Focus on Government Contracts and Future Constellations

Terran Orbital primarily functions as a contract manufacturer, specializing in the design, construction, and engineering of satellites. The majority of its work is dedicated to fulfilling contracts for the U.S. government.

Approximately 95% of Terran’s projects are directly related to NASA and the Department of Defense. The company has chosen not to reveal information about its commercial clientele at this time.

In addition to contract work, Terran Orbital is actively developing its own satellite constellation. These satellites will utilize synthetic aperture radar technology.

This radar system will enable image capture even under challenging weather conditions, such as cloud cover or thunderstorms. The initial launch of these satellites is scheduled for the end of 2022.

Economic Impact and Timeline

The completion of the new facility is projected for 2025. It is expected to create approximately 2,100 jobs, with an average annual salary of $84,000.

Space Florida, the state’s aerospace development authority, is partnering with Terran Orbital and providing conduit financing for the project.

Strengthening Florida’s Space Coast

This announcement represents the latest in a series of developments bolstering Florida’s Space Coast. The region already hosts facilities belonging to prominent companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Redwire.

In the previous year, over 1,200 satellites were launched into space, representing a substantial increase – more than double – compared to the number launched in the year prior.