Space and defense company CesiumAstro plans to open a new engineering and manufacturing facility in Melbourne, the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast announced on Oct. 15.

The company will invest $25 million in capital improvements and create 100 new, high-paying jobs over the next 12 months, according to the EDC. CesiumAstro's own release carries the same figures. Neither release gives the facility's address or the jobs' pay range.

What the company does

CesiumAstro builds satellites, communications payloads, terminals and advanced computing systems for commercial, government and national security customers, the EDC said. The company keeps hardware, software, manufacturing and testing in-house, and the Melbourne site will add engineering and manufacturing capacity for that work.

The company has grown to more than 850 employees across the United States, Europe and Asia, according to the release. It has made three recent acquisitions and launched its first operational satellite, Element-1, earlier in October. The Orlando Business Journal describes CesiumAstro as Austin, Texas-based.

What officials said

Brett Paulson, CesiumAstro's chief operating officer, said in the release that Melbourne gives the company direct access to the Space Coast's aerospace talent and infrastructure. The Melbourne team will develop, integrate and test new space and defense technologies, he said.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey said the city looks forward to working with the company as it sets up its Melbourne operation. EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman said the investment "further strengthens our local space ecosystem." Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly also welcomed the company in the EDC's release.