BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) – SpaceX is seeking up to $5 million more in new state funding to build a commercial spaceport in Texas, a high-profile project that’s behind schedule after breaking ground in 2014.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that SpaceX is seeking the money to help build infrastructure related to the launch facility at Boca Chica beach outside Brownsville.
The California-based company was founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing the cost of space travel.
About $15.3 million in state funding has already been set aside for the planned spaceport, but only about $3 million has been used so far.
SpaceX has also returned a small portion of the funds because the company has fallen short of hiring goals as the project couldn’t keep pace with its original timetable.
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