Congresswoman Waters Receives Tour of SpaceX

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) received a tour of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) on Feb. 19, the world's fastest growing launch services provider, located in her district in the city of Hawthorne.

SpaceX is home to the Dragon spacecraft--the first privately developed spacecraft in history to visit the International Space Station. While it will initially carry cargo, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft was designed to carry astronauts. Congresswoman Waters toured the facility with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and company CFO Bret Johnsen.

"As a company that is building the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft, I was excited about my opportunity to tour the SpaceX facility today," said Congresswoman Waters. "I am thrilled that SpaceX continues the great tradition of aerospace history in the South Bay area. SpaceX has surely made its presence felt on Crenshaw Blvd and Rocket Road, and is a budding source of local pride."

"SpaceX employs over 3,000 talented men and women—most of them right here in Hawthorne," said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. "We are incredibly grateful for the skilled workforce here in Southern California—SpaceX has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the last few years and we are proud to be headquartered in this community."

The company currently holds a $1.6 billion NASA contract to provide cargo services to and from the space station and was recently awarded a $440 million NASA contract to engineer the final developments necessary to prepare Dragon to fly crew.

Pictured below from (L to R) SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).

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