L3Harris, The Austin Co. complete Palm Bay satellite manufacturing complex

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. complete $100M Palm Bay satellite manufacturing facility to support Project LEO / Golden Dome

The Palm Bay, Florida project marks a major advancement in U.S. aerospace manufacturing, with The Austin Co. serving as the design‑build partner for a newly completed satellite production facility that adds capacity for national defense programs. The facility, described in materials as a significant state‑of‑the‑art addition, was expanded through a $100 million investment by L3Harris Technologies and is intended to support a next‑generation space architecture often referred to in the materials as Golden Dome or Project LEO.

Facility scope, size, and layout

The Palm Bay site expands the company’s footprint to roughly 92,000–94,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing space, with three expansive high bays designed to accommodate large satellite assemblies. The bays are equipped with large‑capacity overhead cranes to support heavy payload work, while the overall site upgrades include enhanced security measures and support spaces crafted to streamline operations. A ceremonial ribbon‑cutting marked the facility’s formal opening, underscoring its role as a milestone in the region’s high‑tech manufacturing ecosystem.

Purpose and capabilities

In the broader plan, the Palm Bay complex is intended to assemble, integrate, and test full constellations of satellites. The facility is aligned with national defense aims centered on space‑based missile warning and defense capabilities, as well as precision sensing and interceptor control systems. The development and production approach emphasize speed, scalability, and secure operations to support a pipeline of space hardware designed to identify and counter hypersonic and other advanced missile threats.

Investment scope and organizational context

The Palm Bay project forms part of a larger national effort that, according to company statements, translates into more than 900,000 square feet of new and renovated advanced manufacturing space nationwide. This expansion complements other facility upgrades, including a prior investment in a payload manufacturing site and a broader corporate strategy to accelerate production of space hardware. The project is positioned within L3Harris’ wider mission to deliver fast, capable space systems while expanding domestic manufacturing capacity in Florida and beyond.

Leadership and strategic framing

At the leadership level, the Palm Bay expansion reflects ongoing corporate emphasis on strengthening the missile warning and defense “kill chain.” The company notes that the initiative supports a national defense vision and prioritizes the rapid delivery of proven space hardware. The management voice behind the program highlights a focus on aligning resources across the enterprise to bolster homeland protection and sustain a robust domestic aerospace industry in Florida. Within this framing, the Florida Space Coast team, along with key operations leadership, is acknowledged for contributing to the project’s success.

Operational and security features

Beyond the production spaces, the project includes extensive support functions and security enhancements designed to streamline operations and modernize the facility to meet its specialized mission. The security posture is noted as a distinctive requirement for the site, reflecting the sensitive nature of the work and the need to protect critical national defense capabilities. These elements are paired with upgraded infrastructure to ensure reliable, efficient manufacturing and testing workflows.

Context and broader industry implications

Industry and government discussions surrounding the project frequently place Palm Bay within a broader narrative of U.S. space and missile defense development. The effort sits alongside several related programs and industry partnerships that emphasize rapid production of satellite systems for national security purposes. The initiative also interacts with a wider regional history of space industry employment and capital investment, reinforcing Palm Bay’s role as a hub for high‑skill, high‑wage manufacturing jobs and advanced aerospace capabilities. The rendering of Golden Dome as a strategic, space‑based complement to terrestrial defense systems reflects ongoing debates about national security architecture and the role of private‑sector partners in delivering rapid, scalable defense technologies.

Public remarks and official communications describe the Palm Bay site as a notable addition to L3Harris’ manufacturing portfolio and a symbol of continued investment in Florida. The project aligns with broader corporate commitments to modernize production lines, support research and development in space technologies, and enable the rapid deployment of next‑generation space systems on a national scale.