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.
L3Harris and The Austin Co. finish $100M Palm Bay satellite plant to back Project LEO and the Golden Dome effort
L3Harris Technologies and The Austin Co. have completed a new satellite manufacturing complex in Palm Bay, Florida, a roughly $100 million project aimed at speeding production of space-based missile warning and defense systems tied to Project LEO, also called the Golden Dome initiative. The new facility totals about 92,000–94,000 square feet and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Palm Bay to mark its opening.
What was delivered and who led the work
The Austin Co. served as the design-build partner and handled planning, architecture, engineering, preconstruction work, and construction management for the complex. Company leadership framed the delivery around bringing together skilled people, disciplined processes, and domain expertise to meet program requirements. The completed site is described as a state-of-the-art spacecraft and satellite manufacturing center that complements L3Harris’ broader investments in advanced aerospace manufacturing across the country.
Facility purpose and program ties
The Palm Bay facility is intended to assemble, integrate, and test full constellations of satellites that support missile warning, tracking, and defense, including systems designed to identify and track hypersonic threats and other advanced missile types. The site is listed as supporting the “Golden Dome for America” effort and the wider Project LEO effort. Company officials say the expansion is part of a nationwide push that adds more than 900,000 square feet of new and renovated advanced manufacturing space to accelerate production of space-based missile warning and defense technologies.
Key features and site upgrades
The complex includes three expansive high bays outfitted with large-capacity overhead cranes built to handle satellite stacks and integration work. Support spaces and site upgrades were completed to include essential amenities, expanded infrastructure, and enhanced security features that reflect the facility’s unique protection requirements. Finished work is intended to streamline day-to-day operations and to modernize the site for rapid production cycles.
Production, workforce and logistics
Company leadership described Palm Bay as a location that benefits from local aerospace expertise and proximity to launch infrastructure about an hour from nearby launch pads. Officials signaled that the site could produce between 50 and 100 satellites per year at rate, with a plan to ramp up to full production within roughly six months of commissioning. Completed satellites will be transported in hermetically sealed containers to nearby launch complexes for integration and launch.
Program scope and industry context
The work in Palm Bay aligns with a larger set of development programs and prototype flights that put missile-tracking sensors into orbit. The company currently operates satellites on orbit and has multiple follow-on builds in development to support hypersonic missile tracking layers under government contracts. The new manufacturing capacity is intended to help meet aggressive timelines set by government planners and industry leaders focused on accelerating delivery of space-based components for layered missile warning and defense architectures.
Economic and community impacts
The expansion is expected to create new high-skill manufacturing jobs in the region, with reported estimates of around 100 positions and competitive average salaries. Local and regional civic leaders attended the opening event, and officials highlighted the project’s contribution to regional economic opportunity and to sustaining a qualified aerospace workforce on the Space Coast.
Security and program sensitivities
Because the plant supports national missile warning and defense capabilities, the facility includes specialized security measures and access controls. Public commentary from defense officials has generally been restrained about program details, while government leaders have urged industry to move quickly to scale production and meet evolving threat timelines.
Context and next steps
The Palm Bay expansion follows other recent manufacturing investments by the company, including a payload facility expansion in the Midwest focused on infrared sensors. The new site will operate as part of a distributed national production network that the company says is designed to accelerate delivery of proven hardware for missile warning, sensing, and defense missions.
Attendance and acknowledgments
The opening event included company leaders, government representatives, and local elected officials who noted the facility’s role in national security and economic development. The completed project was presented as a milestone in sustained investment in advanced space manufacturing and systems integration on the Space Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Palm Bay facility for?
The facility is for assembling, integrating, and testing satellites and satellite constellations that support missile warning, tracking, and defense programs tied to Project LEO and the Golden Dome concept.
How large is the new facility?
Sources list the facility size at roughly 92,000 to 94,000 square feet, with the project value reported at about $100 million.
Who designed and built the site?
The Austin Co. served as the design-build partner, providing planning, architecture, engineering, preconstruction services, and construction management.
What production rate is expected?
Company officials indicated a potential production range of about 50 to 100 satellites per year, with a plan to ramp to full production in roughly six months after opening.
How many jobs does the project create?
The expansion is expected to add about 100 new jobs with competitive, high-average salaries aimed at sustaining advanced manufacturing employment in the region.
What special features does the plant have?
The site includes three large high bays with heavy overhead cranes, expanded infrastructure, specialized security systems, and support spaces designed for rapid satellite integration and test workflows.
How does the facility connect to launch operations?
Finished satellites will be transported in sealed containers to nearby launch complexes for final integration and launch processing.
Key project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project cost | $100 million (reported) |
| Facility size | Approximately 92,000–94,000 sq ft |
| Primary purpose | Satellite assembly, integration, and test for missile warning and defense |
| High bays | Three expansive high bays with large-capacity overhead cranes |
| Security | Enhanced site security and unique protection measures |
| Production capacity | Estimated 50–100 satellites per year |
| Jobs | About 100 new positions with competitive average salary levels |
| Program links | Supports Project LEO / Golden Dome and government missile tracking initiatives |
Photo credit for facility image referenced in source materials: L3Harris (image not included in this article).
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 FL News
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