Amazon is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Florida's Space Coast to develop its Amazon Leo satellite project, according to officials. The company is building warehouses and creating jobs at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Satellites are manufactured and tested at a facility in Washington state before being shipped to Kennedy Space Center, which Amazon describes as the world’s largest satellite processing facility. The investment includes expanding storage capacity to handle the growing number of satellites produced.
Chris Weber, vice president of Amazon Leo business and product, said the company is scaling operations to meet demand. He noted that facilities are designed to produce satellites on a massive scale, with three dispensers ready for different launch vehicles at once. “We have hundreds of satellites coming off the line ready to be deployed,” Weber said during a May 18 press event. The project has already secured additional storage space to keep up with production timelines.
Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development of Florida's Space Coast, highlighted the economic impact of the investment. She called Amazon’s job creation and capital spending over a short period unique. “The breadth of available jobs and the amount of Brevard capital investment makes this company stand out,” Weatherman said. The project is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs, though exact numbers have not been disclosed.
Amazon’s work at Kennedy Space Center involves assembling and testing satellites before launch. The company’s presence adds to the Space Coast’s growing role in the commercial space industry, which already includes companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Local officials have welcomed the investment, citing its potential to strengthen the region’s economy and infrastructure. No specific timeline was given for when satellites will begin launching from the Space Coast.