Frontera Space Inc. Engineering Spaceplanes in The New Space City

Firefly co-founder Tom Markusic is building his next space venture in Cedar Park—and returning to the same location where Firefly began its growth in the community.

Frontera Space now occupies approximately 27,500 square feet at La Jaita Business Park on Arrow Point Drive. For Cedar Park, the company’s presence illustrates how lasting relationships with founders, property owners, and city leadership can help an industry cluster grow across generations of new ventures.

Developing New Approaches to Flight

Frontera Space is pursuing spaceplane technology designed to operate from runways, with the goal of making access to space more affordable and frequent. Its broader technology focus includes autonomous aircraft and in-space systems, emphasizing adaptable designs and economical manufacturing.

The spaceplane concept remains in its early stages. According to the Austin Business Journal, Frontera has raised $6 million in pre-seed funding and launched a $40 million seed fundraising round. The company has approximately 20 employees, with ambitions to grow to several hundred within two years. Its immediate priorities include recruiting talent, developing facilities, and advancing technologies that will support its long-term vision.

Relationships That Support Growth

Markusic’s return brings him back together with MTI Properties Principal Carmine Marinari, whose company provided space for Firefly during its formative years. Their continued partnership reflects the importance of property owners who understand the changing needs of emerging technology companies.

That continuity extends to the City of Cedar Park. Choosing a community for a new venture requires confidence in its leadership, responsiveness, and ability to support growth through uncertainty.

“For us, economic development is about more than attracting a business or celebrating a single project,” City Manager Brenda Eivens told the Austin Business Journal. “It is about cultivating strong, lasting relationships with visionary business leaders and creating an ecosystem where their ideas, talent and investment can continue to grow right here in Cedar Park.”

Strengthening Cedar Park’s Space and Defense Cluster

Frontera adds another dimension to Cedar Park’s aerospace and defense industry, alongside Firefly’s continued growth, emerging defense technology companies, and suppliers serving advanced manufacturing markets.

The City is also working with Williamson County through the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation to advance the region’s aerospace capabilities. The organization is exploring opportunities to address gaps in testing, evaluation, manufacturing infrastructure, and workforce development while complementing facilities elsewhere in Texas.

Together, these efforts can create more opportunities for specialized suppliers, engineers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs to work within a connected regional industry.

For Cedar Park, Frontera’s next chapter demonstrates the value of supporting founders over time: the experience and relationships built around one company can help establish the foundation for the next.

This article draws on reporting by Justin Sayers in the Austin Business Journal. Read the original story, “Back on the launch pad.”