Terran Orbital’s $300M Investment in Merritt Island

In a landmark collaboration with Space Florida, Terran Orbital announced a $300 million investment to build the world’s largest satellite manufacturing facility on Merritt Island’s Launch and Landing Facility, part of Kennedy Space Center.

This state-supported project is expected to be operational within 36 months of its announcement in late 2021, with full capacity targeted by the end of 2025.

Jobs & Economic Growth

• The facility is projected to create approximately 2,100 jobs by late 2025, with an estimated average annual salary of around $84,000.
• These are high-skill, high-pay positions—spanning engineering, assembly, advanced electronics, AI-managed production lines, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing.
• The investment strengthens Florida’s position as a global aerospace hub and supports educational partnerships to develop a skilled local workforce.

Facility Features & Technology

• Spread across roughly 660,000 ft², the facility includes 10 automated, Industry 4.0‑style hangars and integrated administrative space. It is designed for highly scalable manufacturing of small satellites at volume.
• Cutting-edge infrastructure includes AI‑controlled supply chains, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, PCB assembly, automated aerospace assembly lines, and advanced testing labs.
• This facility will enable Terran Orbital to produce more than 1,000 small satellites annually by the target date.

The $300 million investment by Terran Orbital in Merritt Island marks a pivotal moment for Florida’s Space Coast, signaling a transition from a historically launch-focused economy to a dynamic ecosystem that encompasses manufacturing, research and development, and full-scale aerospace production. Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island are rapidly evolving into full-spectrum aerospace hubs, reinforced by the presence and continued expansion of industry giants such as Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, OneWeb, and Sidus Space. These companies are capitalizing on the region’s deep aerospace talent pool, established infrastructure, and proximity to launch facilities. Local officials and industry leaders have highlighted this growth as a trillion-dollar opportunity that extends beyond aerospace into ancillary sectors such as housing, commercial development, infrastructure, and hospitality.

Looking ahead, Terran Orbital’s new facility strengthens Florida’s national leadership in commercial satellite production, defense aerospace, and space logistics. Supported by state-backed programs like conduit financing and synthetic leases via Space Florida, and guided by a commitment to Industry 4.0–style growth, Florida is becoming increasingly attractive to high-tech aerospace companies. The aggressive timeline to reach full capacity by 2025 reflects the state’s urgency and strategic vision to make Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island global leaders not only in space launches but also in spacecraft innovation and scalable satellite manufacturing.