Blue Origin pays $11.5 million for Cocoa site formerly used for SpaceX ‘Starship race’

Blue Origin Manufacturing LLC purchased 20 acres of heavy industrial land for $11.5 million on Feb. 17, signaling a major production expansion as the company moves to compete with SpaceX in NASA’s Artemis program. The property, located at 850 Cidco Road, sits roughly 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center. The deed, recorded with the Brevard County Clerk of Courts, identifies the seller as Coxwell Family LLLP, a Melbourne-based partnership. The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the Space Coast. On the same day the deed was recorded, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp told Bloomberg the company would “move heaven and Earth” to beat SpaceX to the moon. "Let’s go! We’re all in!" Limp later posted on X following a Feb. 27 NASA announcement that restructured the Artemis program to include more frequent commercial lander tests. We’re all in! https://t.co/qKUJGJuHKH— Dave Limp (@davill) February 27, 2026 The choice of buyer is a key indicator of the site’s future. Instead of using a holding company, the land was purchased by Blue Origin Manufacturing LLC, the same Alabama-based entity tied to the company’s rocket production in Huntsville. This suggests the Cocoa site will be used for high-level manufacturing or logistics rather than administrative offices. The expansion follows a busy year for the aerospace firm. Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the first time in January 2025. The company currently holds a $3.4 billion NASA contract for the Artemis V lunar lander. While no construction permits have been filed for the Cidco Road property, the site adds an increasing footprint to support Blue Origin’s existing operations at Launch Complex 36. Local economic experts view the move as a leading indicator of job growth. By securing heavy industrial land so close to the spaceport, Blue Origin appears to be anchoring its manufacturing supply chain directly within Brevard County. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently noted that increasing flight rates and standardizing vehicles is essential to mission success, a goal this new facility is expected to support.