Blue Origin has confirmed plans to build a $160 million payload processing facility in Brevard County, Florida, according to a statement released Monday. The project, located near the Kennedy Space Center, is expected to create up to 200 jobs over the next three years. The company did not specify a completion date but said construction could begin as early as 2024.
The facility will handle the assembly and testing of payloads for suborbital and orbital missions, including those launched from Blue Origin's New Shepard and New Glenn vehicles. The site will also support work for other aerospace clients, according to the statement. Brevard County has become a hub for commercial space activity since SpaceX began launching rockets from Cape Canaveral in 2010.
County officials welcomed the announcement, noting the economic boost it could provide. "This is another example of Brevard's role as a leader in the space industry," said County Administrator Steve Dillard. "We've worked closely with Blue Origin to ensure this project aligns with our long-term plans for sustainable growth."
The facility will be Blue Origin's second major investment in the county. The company already operates a launch site at the Kennedy Space Center and has partnered with local governments on infrastructure improvements. The new facility is expected to generate $25 million annually in economic activity once fully operational.