LA Port Commission Approves SpaceX Rocket Facility

Commissioners have approved a permit for a facility to manufacture a Mars rocket so big it will require an oceangoing barge for transport to launch sites.

Falcon Heavy And Dragon (26405462060)

LOS ANGELES (AP) β€” Los Angeles harbor commissioners have approved a permit for Space Exploration Technologies to build a facility on 19 acres of port land to manufacture a Mars rocket that will be so big it will require an oceangoing barge for transport to launch sites.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk says the rocket will serve a wide range of missions including going to Mars. The permit approved Thursday has an initial 10-year term with two 10-year options to extend.

SpaceX will receive credits that offset the approximately $1.38 million in annual rent in exchange for improvements it makes, including construction of a huge hangar-style building. Overall credits are capped at $44 million. The deal is expected to be reviewed by the City Council.


More in Operations