Whatever it is, it’s big. On December 18, 2024, Space Florida’s board of directors approved a substantial investment in “Project Hinton,” signifying a major development for Florida’s Cape Canaveral Spaceport.
This initiative involves a capital expenditure of $1.8 billion by an undisclosed company, aiming to construct a high-volume production facility, high bay, and launch infrastructure. The project is expected to generate approximately 600 jobs, offering an average annual salary of $93,000.
Space Florida, serving as the state’s aerospace economic development agency, has committed to matching up to $65 million of the company’s investment through the Spaceport Improvement Program over multiple years, starting in 2025.
The primary objective of Project Hinton is to “enhance the rapid manufacturing, assembly, and integration of heavy-lift flight hardware”. This development is anticipated to significantly increase the volume and mass of payloads launched into orbit from Florida, aligning with the state’s strategic goals to bolster its position in the aerospace sector.
While $65 million is a huge investment for the State, a big question is exactly which company or companies will benefit from it. Due to confidentiality agreements, the identity of the company behind Project Hinton has not been publicly disclosed.
Many industry insiders speculate that SpaceX is likely the entity involved, considering its ongoing expansion efforts and anticipated infrastructure investment in Florida’s Eastern Range spaceport. Notably, SpaceX has been developing Starship launch pads at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-A and has shown interest in Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37 as a potential launch site for the massive rocket. SpaceX is currently launching Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy rockets at a record pace, with those launches regarded by many as almost routine. In August 2024, SpaceX announced plans to construct three new rocket landing zones at Launch Complex 40 and Pad 39A, with a combined investment of over $27 million, in partnership with FDOT.
But there are others…Blue Origin for example has built a massive factory near the Kennedy Space Center over the last few years, and also has ties to Space Florida. That facility currently manufactures the company’s New Glenn heavy lift rocket. Tne caveat here is that New Glenn has not yet flown, nor has any Blue Origin rocket launched from the Cape. (That will likely change in the next 30 days with the anticipation of the first New Glenn launch.) The company has already invested over $1 billion in refurbishing Launch Complex 36 for New Glenn operations.
No one really knows the origin of the name “Project Hinton” yet, so that closely guarded secret is not shedding any light on the question.
Space Florida’s financial support includes up to $50 million in matching grant funds, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), designated for the construction of the production facility, high bay, and related infrastructure. An additional $15 million is allocated for utility improvements, such as power modifications and industrial wastewater treatment, to support the project’s infrastructure needs.
Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida, emphasized the project’s potential, stating, “This is one of those projects that will be transformative for the region, the state, and for America. But more importantly, it’s building upon a foundation that our state and local communities have invested in over the past ten years.”
The urgency of the project is underscored by significant customer demand driven by a considerable increase in space-based activities. The company plans to commence ordering long-lead items and initiate construction in January 2025, indicating an accelerated timeline to meet the growing needs of the aerospace industry.
The aerospace sector in Florida has been experiencing significant growth, with the state attracting leading companies and fostering cutting-edge research. Investments like Project Hinton are expected to further solidify Florida’s position as a global leader in space exploration and innovation.
While the specifics of Project Hinton are still unfolding, its approval marks a big step forward in expanding Florida’s aerospace capabilities. The project’s successful implementation is anticipated to contribute substantially to the state’s economy, create high-paying jobs, and enhance the United States’ capacity to conduct large-scale space missions.
As the project progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the company’s identity and the specific technologies and missions that will be supported by the new infrastructure at Cape Canaveral. For now, any way you slice it, Project Hinton represents a major commitment by Florida to advancing the aerospace industry’s future in the state.
