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.
Copyright 2018. Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.