SpaceX Breaks Ground in Cameron County With Governor Perry

Texas Governor Rick Perry helped break ground on SpaceX’s new Commercial Launch Facility located near Boca Chica Beach in Cameron County. The facility will be used to launch commercial satellites into orbit and is the first of its kind.

The Monday, September 22, groundbreaking near Brownsville is the culmination of years of cooperation between Texas and SpaceX. According to the governor’s office, the idea was first discussed in 2011 and since then, Perry has met with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as well as members of the Federal Aviation Administration in an effort to attain clearance for the facility.

"Texas has been on the forefront of our nation's space exploration efforts for decades,” said Governor Perry. “So it is fitting that SpaceX has chosen our state as they expand the frontiers of commercial space flight."

Instrumental in bringing SpaceX to the state was a $2.3 million Texas Enterprise Fund and $13 million from the state’s Spaceport Trust Fund.

"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 Governor 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."

SpaceX expects the facility to be completed sometime in 2016.