Astrobotic Technology, a space robotics company, plans to relocate its headquarters from Carnegie Mellon University to Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood.
The company will invest $6.55 million in the relocation.
Astrobotic will purchase and renovate a building. The renovation will include office space, manufacturing operations, and space to construct a commercial lunar lander named Peregrine. The move is expected to maintain 20 jobs and create 95 positions.
“Pennsylvania is leading our country back to the moon. We are thrilled to build our new headquarters in the heart of Pittsburgh,” John Thornton, Astrobotic Technology CEO, said. “The facility will be purpose-built to operate landers and rovers to the lunar surface, starting with our first mission in 2021.”
Peregrine will deliver payloads to the moon for universities, governments, companies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.
The company also is developing advanced space robotics capabilities for reliable computing systems for mission-critical applications and lunar surface operations.
The Department of Community and Economic Development proposed $285,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed when the new jobs are created.
The project is in coordination with the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals that work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.