AUSTIN, TEXAS — On the eve of a Falcon 9 launch from the Cape, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Texas Governor Rick Perry have announced that SpaceX will build the world’s first private commercial launch facility on the southern coast of Texas.
On the eve of a Falcon 9 launch from the Cape, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Texas Governor Rick Perry have announced that SpaceX will build the world’s first private commercial launch facility on the southern coast of Texas. Musk has said that SpaceX will continue to launch its NASA-funded flights from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, but will expand the Brownsville site for commercial launches and space tourism. (SpaceX image)
Musk has said that SpaceX will continue to launch its NASA-funded flights from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, but will expand the Brownsville site for commercial launches and space tourism.
In a release from Gov. Perry, he noted the educational potential for the site.
“Texas has been on the forefront of our nation’s space exploration efforts for decades, so it is fitting that SpaceX has chosen our state as they expand the frontiers of commercial space flight,” Gov. Perry said.
“In addition to growing the aerospace industry in Texas, SpaceX’s facility will provide myriad opportunities for STEM education in South Texas, and inspire a new generation of Texas engineers and innovators.”
Texas lured SpaceX from other potential sites in Florida and Georgia with an economic package that exceeds $15 million.
Dale Ketcham, the director of strategic alliances for Space Florida, had said two weeks ago that he expected SpaceX to choose Texas.
Dale Ketcham
“We kind of have known it’s coming for a while,” Ketcham told TV station Bay News 9 on July 14. “But it’s still going to be traumatic and not insignificant disappointment. It is naive for us to assume the loss of SpaceX commercial activity to Texas is not a significant blow to our plans and our future.”
Perry’s release predicted that 300 jobs will be created and Musk agreed.
Elon Musk
“SpaceX is excited to expand our work in Texas with the world’s first commercial launch complex designed specifically for orbital missions. We appreciate the support of Gov. Perry and numerous other federal, state and local officials who have partnered with us to make this vision a reality,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said.
“In addition to creating hundreds of high tech jobs for the Texas workforce, this site will inspire students, expand the supplier base and attract tourists to the south Texas area.”
Space Coast Daily reached out to Congressman Bill Posey for comment, but was unable to reach anyone in his Washington office or on social media.
