Texas is home to three major spaceport facilities, each serving a different slice of the commercial space industry.
Houston Spaceport leads the way with commercial lunar missions and space station development. Midland handles air-launched systems. Central Texas is starting to catch up, aiming for next-generation launch operations.
Houston Spaceport sits on 400 acres at Ellington Airport. The FAA gave it a commercial spaceport license in 2015, making it the tenth such facility in the country.
Several aerospace companies call Houston Spaceport home, working on some seriously advanced tech. Intuitive Machines runs their $40 million Lunar Operations Center here, where they built the NOVA-C spacecraft—the first American vehicle to land on the Moon since Apollo in 1972.
Axiom Space has its world headquarters at the spaceport. They’re building modules for a planned commercial space station. Their 22-acre campus comes with astronaut training and mission control centers.
You’ll also find Collins Aerospace developing new spacesuits and Venus Aerospace working on hypersonic spacecraft. NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program uses the facility, along with other space research groups.
The Houston Airport System manages everything and finished an $18.8 million infrastructure expansion in 2019. They’re planning a Phase 2 expansion, adding 257 acres, retail space, and an 8,000-foot taxiway.
Midland International Air & Space Port is one of Texas’s two public spaceports. It’s all about air-launched space systems.
Instead of launching from the ground, spacecraft take off from jet aircraft. That lets them fly above bad weather and pick the best launch spots over the ocean. It’s also a lot cheaper than building traditional launch pads.
Midland’s focus is suborbital flights and small satellite missions. Companies use carrier aircraft to bring spacecraft up high, then release them for rocket-powered flight.
West Texas weather is usually pretty favorable, and the airspace is less crowded. The facility works with FAA controllers to keep everything safe alongside regular aviation.
Central Texas is quickly becoming a hot spot for new spaceport development. Williamson County is working to attract space industry companies.
The area sits close to Austin’s tech scene and has open land for aerospace projects. Cedar Park and nearby communities want to host space industry facilities, too. Local governments are looking into infrastructure and zoning for aerospace manufacturing and testing.
Competition with other states is tough, but Central Texas’s tech workforce and pro-business vibe make it appealing for space industry expansion.
Private companies have checked out Central Texas for rocket testing and manufacturing. The region’s open land and friendly regulations are a big plus for operations that need lots of space and custom infrastructure.
SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility has shown that Texas supports commercial space ventures. That success is drawing more companies to consider Central Texas for their next steps.
Williamson County and Cedar Park teamed up to form the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation. This nonprofit works to build space industry infrastructure in the region.
A seven-member board, with folks from both areas, guides space-related economic development efforts.
The Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation operates as a nonprofit under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 507.
Williamson County commissioners approved the CTSDC and its bylaws on August 19, 2025. Cedar Park joined after Burnet County backed out, citing worries about eminent domain and an uneven partnership.
CTSDC is now the sixth spaceport development corporation in Texas. Others are in Houston, Cameron County, Midland, West Texas, and South Texas.
They’re still waiting on final state paperwork. To get legal authority, the corporation needs approval from either two counties or a county and a city.
Board members don’t get paid. Companies have chipped in seed money to cover basic costs like paperwork and admin.
Cedar Park’s city council voted to join the CTSDC on August 14, 2025. Their goal is to make Central Texas a space industry powerhouse.
The area is already home to Firefly Aerospace, fresh off an IPO in August 2025 with a $9.84 billion valuation. Firefly employs over 750 people and has poured $500 million into Cedar Park facilities.
SpaceX and CesiumAstro also have operations in Central Texas. Some say the global space economy could hit $1 trillion by 2040.
Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin thinks the partnership gives the region a leg up in the space economy. It could mean more jobs and a stronger tech presence.
Arthur Jackson, Cedar Park’s chief economic development officer, mentioned interest from the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, the city of Taylor, and the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership.
The CTSDC board has seven members appointed by Cedar Park and Williamson County.
Cedar Park’s representatives:
Williamson County’s members:
The board’s main focus is building launch pads and control facilities. Members also look for ways to attract companies, investors, and talent.
They’re responsible for getting state funding and federal grants. The corporation backs innovation and workforce programs for the space industry.
Texas spaceport development corporations operate under state legislation that gives them special powers to build space infrastructure.
They can tap into the Spaceport Trust Fund for aerospace innovation projects.
The Texas Legislature set up the legal framework for these corporations in 1999, under Chapter 507 of the Local Government Code.
Counties can form these nonprofits on their own or with others. Each spaceport development corporation gets a seven-member board of directors with broad authority under state law.
Boards can promote new businesses and create aerospace training programs. Right now, five active SDCs operate across Texas. The Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation is the newest, approved by Williamson County in August 2024 with Cedar Park.
Each SDC can build facilities for spacecraft, rockets, and satellites. Their focus is on dedicated infrastructure that pulls commercial space companies to Texas.
The Spaceport Trust Fund (STF) offers cost-reimbursement grants to spaceport development corporations. The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office runs the program through the Governor’s office.
To get STF grants, corporations must:
Grant winners get a fixed award and must submit detailed budgets for infrastructure. The funding is for facilities that support reusable launch vehicles and spacecraft operations.
Firefly Aerospace has turned Cedar Park into a major space manufacturing hub and pulled off a historic lunar mission. In February 2025, the company got an $8.2 million Texas Space Commission grant to expand operations and add 50 new engineering and manufacturing jobs.
Firefly Aerospace runs advanced spacecraft manufacturing in Cedar Park, Williamson County. Their main facility has cleanrooms for building Blue Ghost lunar landers and Elytra orbital vehicles.
With the new grant, Firefly will add 5,600 square feet of ISO-8 cleanroom space. This expansion helps them meet growing production needs for lunar and orbital spacecraft.
They’re also adding new ground support equipment and better test systems. At Rocket Ranch in Briggs, Texas, Firefly is building a spacecraft pressure proof test facility. These upgrades let them check spacecraft systems before missions.
IT infrastructure is getting a boost, too, supporting mission ops and lab work. All these improvements stick to Central Texas, strengthening local aerospace manufacturing.
Firefly hit a huge milestone in March 2025. They became the first commercial company to land a spacecraft upright on the Moon.
The Blue Ghost Mission 1 showed off Firefly’s technical chops in lunar exploration.
This win puts Firefly among the top contractors for precision lunar operations. Their Blue Ghost lander design and mission skills got a serious boost in credibility.
The mission has raised Texas’s profile in lunar exploration. Firefly proved that commercial companies can deliver reliable lunar services for both government and private clients.
Firefly Aerospace works with University of Texas System schools to develop aerospace talent. As part of the Texas Space Commission grant, they expanded STEM outreach.
New internships give students hands-on spacecraft development experience. These programs help train future aerospace professionals right in Central Texas.
Firefly plans to hire 50 new people in engineering, quality, manufacturing, and spacecraft ops. That’s more jobs and more expertise for Williamson County.
They’re also rolling out training programs for high-skilled aerospace roles. Firefly teams up with local schools to build technical know-how in the region.
Texas spaceports pump billions into the economy and create thousands of jobs. SpaceX’s Starbase alone brought over $6.5 billion in economic impact to South Texas, with more than 21,400 jobs created.
SpaceX’s Starbase employs over 3,400 full-time workers and contractors. The aerospace industry’s presence triggers a ripple effect, generating thousands more jobs across the region.
The impact goes way beyond the launch site. Local communities see new opportunities in hospitality, construction, and tech. Restaurant workers, hotel staff, and retail employees all benefit from increased tourism and business.
High-tech jobs lead the way, with engineers, technicians, and aerospace specialists earning good money that boosts local spending. These roles often require extra training, so local schools and colleges now offer courses in aerospace manufacturing, rocket propulsion, and space tech maintenance.
The indirect job creation hits 21,400 positions in South Texas. Suppliers, service providers, and support businesses thrive as the aerospace workforce grows. Local contractors win big with new infrastructure and facility projects.
Workforce programs have popped up to meet industry needs. Technical schools and community colleges now teach aerospace skills that keep this job engine running.
The aerospace industry pulls in a lot of private investment for Texas communities. SpaceX’s multibillion-dollar commitment to Starbase stands out as one of the biggest private investments South Texas has ever seen.
Local businesses see more revenue from aerospace workers and space tourism visitors. In 2023 alone, more than 20,000 tourists and over 16,500 official visitors came to South Texas for Starship launches.
Infrastructure improvements give entire communities a boost. Roads, utilities, and telecom systems get upgrades to support spaceport operations, which ends up benefiting residents and businesses far outside the aerospace world.
Property values nearby have gone up as workers want to live close to their jobs. Real estate development speeds up to keep up with housing demand from incoming aerospace professionals.
Local governments bring in more tax revenue from all this economic activity. Sales taxes, property taxes, and business permits add funds that support community services and public projects.
Small businesses jump on the aerospace boom by offering specialized services and products. Machine shops, electronics suppliers, and technical service companies start up to serve the growing industry.
Texas now holds about 12% of all aerospace industry jobs nationwide. That’s around 165,000 positions as private companies keep expanding and public-private collaborations help grow the state’s space ecosystem.
The industry brings in $11 billion every year for Texas. It’s also responsible for creating 100,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and research.
Private aerospace companies keep picking Texas as their main base for commercial space operations. SpaceX set up major facilities in McGregor for rocket engine testing and in Brownsville for Starship development and launches.
The Texas Space Commission, created in 2024, gives regulatory support that draws more aerospace companies and investors. This commission manages a $350 million Texas Space Fund to speed up commercialization.
Morgan Stanley thinks the space sector could hit $1 trillion by 2040. Texas is positioning itself to grab a big piece of that market with targeted infrastructure investments.
Three Texas counties are in the running to host major commercial spaceports:
These projects could create about 4,000 direct jobs with reusable launch vehicle operations. The Clear Lake area’s aerospace expertise gives technical support for new commercial ventures.
The Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) brings together academic institutions, government agencies, and industry leaders under state coordination. Formed in 2023, TARSEC pushes aerospace innovation through collaborative research.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center anchors Texas space operations. Four FAA-licensed spaceports provide commercial launch infrastructure for both government contracts and private investments.
State legislation sets up a welcoming environment for aerospace growth. House Bill 3447 created a regulatory framework that encourages companies to move operations to Texas.
Universities offer research muscle while private companies handle manufacturing. This teamwork produces skilled workers for engineering and technical roles.
The partnership model lowers risks for private investors and maximizes public infrastructure benefits. Government facilities share resources with commercial operators, which cuts costs and strengthens the whole aerospace ecosystem.
Texas spaceport development focuses on building specialized launch systems and advanced manufacturing capacity. The state’s three main spaceport projects include dedicated runways, testing facilities, and production centers for commercial space operations.
Texas spaceports use purpose-built infrastructure to support a wide range of spacecraft operations. The Houston Spaceport, for example, features runway modifications and taxiway extensions for horizontal launch vehicles and space planes.
Phase II at Houston Spaceport adds a full-length taxiway along Runway 4-22. This lets spacecraft take off and land right next to anchor tenant facilities.
SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica is probably the most ambitious launch infrastructure project around. The site includes huge launch towers, propellant storage, and landing pads designed for Starship operations.
Central Texas spaceport projects focus on building multi-use launch facilities. Williamson County’s Spaceport Development Corporation plans infrastructure for rockets, satellites, and different spacecraft.
Key Infrastructure Components:
Texas spaceports put a lot of emphasis on having integrated manufacturing and testing capabilities. Intuitive Machines runs a 125,000 square foot Lunar Operations Center at Houston Spaceport, complete with specialized testing infrastructure.
The facility offers mission control rooms, propulsion test systems, and a 3,800 square foot flame range for engine testing. These features support lunar lander development and spacecraft manufacturing.
Axiom Space’s 22-acre headquarters focuses on producing space station components. The facility includes high bay assembly areas, testing labs, and mission control for commercial space station operations.
Collins Aerospace brings specialized manufacturing for spacesuit development and waste management systems. Their space includes 10,000 square feet for spaceflight tech incubation.
San Jacinto College’s EDGE Center provides workforce training across 154 acres. The facility connects educational programs directly to the needs of the space industry.
Texas has put together comprehensive state-level funding and regulatory frameworks to support spaceport development. The Texas Space Commission hands out millions in grants to aerospace companies, and the Spaceport Trust Fund gives dedicated financial support for infrastructure projects.
The Texas Space Commission runs the Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF), which gives grants to businesses, nonprofits, and government entities working in space exploration and aeronautics. In 2024, the commission approved $47.7 million in grants for five space companies to help develop facilities and spacecraft projects.
Recent grant recipients include:
The commission supports civil, commercial, military, and academic advances in human space exploration. These grants target space innovation and workforce development initiatives across Texas.
Grant funding helps both established aerospace companies and up-and-coming space tech firms. The program keeps Texas at the front of commercial spaceflight development.
The Spaceport Trust Fund offers financial support for spaceport development corporations created under Chapter 507 of the Local Government Code. These corporations must meet strict financial and operational rules to qualify.
Eligibility requirements include:
The fund focuses on building spaceport infrastructure, not covering operational expenses. Spaceport development corporations use the money to build launch facilities, ground support equipment, and related infrastructure.
This targeted funding helps break down financial barriers for spaceport development while making sure projects have strong private backing.
Texas spaceports are rolling out specialized aerospace training programs and building collaborative research projects with universities and industry partners. These efforts create skilled workers for the space industry and move aerospace innovation forward through practical education and research.
The Houston Spaceport and San Jacinto College teamed up to run the EDGE Center, which serves as the official education training partner for the facility. The center offers technical training in composite manufacturing, electrical assembly, mechanical structures, quality assurance, and mechatronics.
The EDGE Center uses a hybrid format—online learning mixed with hands-on experience. This setup meets the needs of students eager to join the fast-growing space industry.
Training programs get tailored to what spaceport partners and tenants actually need. Texas Southern University started building a two-acre aerospace training facility at the Houston Spaceport, planning to relocate its Aviation Management programs once it’s ready.
The Houston Spaceport also works with a group of local universities: Rice, Texas A&M, Texas Southern, and University of Houston – Clear Lake. This partnership gives spaceport tenants a direct line to academic collaboration.
The Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) launched in 2023 under the Texas Space Commission. This group brings together schools, agencies, and industry leaders to speed up aerospace innovation and boost economic growth.
TARSEC includes higher education institutions from across Texas. The consortium finds research opportunities that help develop and expand commercial space activity statewide.
The Texas Space Commission funds these efforts through the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF). This fund awards grants to businesses, nonprofits, and schools working on space exploration and aeronautics research.
Recent SEARF awards include up to $4.7 million for the Aldrin Family Foundation to grow its Student Satellites in Space program in Texas high schools. The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research also picked up funding to support its LiftOff Summer Institute for STEM educators.
Texas spaceport development faces tough environmental impacts and local displacement issues. Communities often find themselves weighing economic opportunities against traditional land use and cultural preservation.
SpaceX’s Starbase project in South Texas has sparked a lot of environmental pushback from local advocacy groups. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network calls out worries about water pollution and habitat destruction as launch frequency climbs, sometimes up to 25 times a year.
Environmental impacts go beyond just launches. Rapid urban growth in once-quiet coastal areas threatens fragile ecosystems near the US-Mexico border.
Wildlife preservation becomes a real challenge as rocket testing and construction spread into traditional habitats. Regulatory approvals demand a lot from Texas spaceport operators—Environmental Impact Statements need community input and state oversight before any big expansion moves forward.
The process involves several agencies looking at everything from noise pollution to coastal erosion. Firefly Aerospace faces similar challenges at their Williamson County site, where rocket engine testing requires careful coordination with local water management and air quality monitoring.
Local residents have mixed feelings about spaceport development in Texas. Some welcome the high-paying aerospace jobs and new investment, but others worry about losing public beaches and traditional spaces.
The Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe raises concerns about ancestral land access as SpaceX expands operations. Cultural preservation becomes a sticking point in negotiations between aerospace companies and indigenous communities with deep spiritual ties to coastal areas.
Mitigation efforts include community engagement programs and economic incentive packages. SpaceX has pledged to create over 100 full-time jobs and is leveraging $30 million in local incentives for their Boca Chica facility.
New zoning rules in the newly incorporated Starbase area affect current landowners. City administrators notify residents about possible land use changes that could impact property rights and development restrictions around the spaceport.
Texas spaceports are really hitting their stride lately. Major expansion projects are in the works, and you can spot new tech popping up at several facilities.
The state’s aerospace infrastructure is pushing hard to grab a bigger slice of the booming commercial space market. Facility upgrades and some pretty creative approaches are leading the charge.
SpaceX wants to launch Starship 25 times from Starbase in 2025, assuming regulators give them the green light. They’re putting up a second launch tower to help manage this busy schedule.
With this new gear, SpaceX can turn missions around a lot faster than before.
Houston Spaceport just kicked off phase two after landing billions in NASA contracts. Texas Southern University is building a two-acre training facility right there.
This new training center will help grow the skilled workforce that these expanding operations need.
A bunch of Texas locations are now vying for more spaceport designations. Van Horn and some other up-and-coming sites are trying to get noticed as future launch spots.
The Texas Space Commission, which came together in 2024, is stepping in to help guide and regulate these efforts.
Floating spaceport technology is also starting to make waves in Texas. Some companies are working on ocean-based launch platforms that could set up shop off the Texas coast.
These floating launch pads would give operators more flexibility for different kinds of missions.
Reusable rockets are shaking things up by making launches cheaper and more frequent. SpaceX uses Starbase as its main playground for testing fully reusable Starship vehicles.
These advances are making it way more affordable for private customers to get to space.
The commercial space scene in Texas is adding around 4,000 direct jobs. High-paying gigs in engineering, manufacturing, and mission support are pulling in talent from all over.
Universities are beefing up their engineering programs to keep up with all this demand.
Sustainable energy integration is becoming the norm at Texas spaceports. Solar farms and batteries now power operations and help cut down on environmental impact.
Some spaceports are even working on making their own fuel using renewable energy sources.
Space tourism and point-to-point flights are starting to look like real business opportunities. Texas spaceports are tweaking their infrastructure to handle passenger flights as well as cargo.
They’re adding training centers and passenger processing areas to their plans.
Texas runs several commercial spaceports, each with its own strengths. These spots support big aerospace names and new space startups all over the state.
SpaceX runs Starbase in Boca Chica, where they focus on Starship development and testing. They’ve turned it into a major launch site for their next-gen spacecraft.
Houston Spaceport is home to commercial space companies working on cargo and satellite missions. Aerospace businesses come here for specialized launch capabilities.
Midland Spaceport acts as a hub for aerospace and defense contractors. Companies use it for aircraft production, testing, and experimental flights.
Starbase sits out in Boca Chica, close to Brownsville in South Texas. Its coastal spot gives SpaceX ocean access for rocket recovery and plenty of space for testing.
Houston Spaceport covers 400 acres at Ellington Airport. It’s right near NASA Johnson Space Center and Houston’s aerospace scene.
Midland Spaceport operates at Midland International Airport in West Texas. It’s unique for being the first commercial spaceport built into a major commercial airport.
Starbase handles most of the orbital launches, with SpaceX flying Starship missions. They launch satellites, deliver cargo, and have plans for crewed flights.
Houston Spaceport does suborbital flights for research and commercial payloads. These shorter hops support science and tech demos.
All Texas spaceports see a lot of testing. Companies run engine tests, vehicle trials, and experimental flights before they go for full launches.
The Federal Aviation Administration gives out Commercial Space Launch Site licenses to spaceport operators. Launch companies have to get their own launch licenses for each mission type.
Companies submit safety analyses and environmental impact reports as part of the process. The FAA checks these to make sure everything’s safe and follows the rules.
Launch operators also need to work with local authorities and meet state regulations. Texas adds a few extra permit requirements on top of the federal ones.
Spaceport operations create jobs—engineers, techs, and support staff all find work here. Aerospace suppliers also set up shop nearby.
Expansion projects mean more construction and infrastructure work for local contractors. Facility upgrades and maintenance keep service providers busy.
Tourism picks up around active spaceports. People travel to see launches and tour the facilities, which helps hotels, restaurants, and local businesses thrive.
Rocket launches can get loud—local communities near launch sites definitely notice the noise. Spaceports try to ease the impact with noise mitigation efforts, and they usually work with residents to plan launch schedules.
Wildlife protection is a big deal, especially at coastal places like Starbase. Launch operators keep an eye on local ecosystems and do their best to avoid harming protected species.
Air quality is another concern. Agencies in Texas monitor emissions from rocket fuels and testing. They make sure launch activities follow state and federal air quality rules.
