 View of historic quad-plaza where Robert F. Kennedy and Apollo 13 astronauts gave speeches, and William Shatner appeared in TV episodes of The Outer Limits and Star Trek. | |
| Address | 1 Space Park Drive, Redondo Beach, California, 90278 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°53′29″N 118°22′28″W / 33.89139°N 118.37444°W |
| Opening date | November 1, 1961 |
| Owner | Northrop Grumman |
| No. of workers | >10,000[1][2] |
Space Park is an aerospace engineering campus occupying over 100 acres in Redondo Beach, California, since 1961, expanding in 1968 to a nearly adjacent 90 acres in Manhattan Beach[3] (15 of which were developed as public sports facilities between 1987 and 2001;[4] 22 of which were sold in 1996 and became the MBS Media Campus[5]).
Founded as Space Technology Center by Space Technology Laboratories (STL),[6] the site is now owned and operated by Northrop Grumman Corp. (NGC) since its 2002 acquisition of TRW Inc.[7] This group of buildings became the first in the USA constructed solely for the entire process of designing, building, and testing spacecraft.[8] The architects designed them so every engineer could have a desk with a window view of tree-scaped courtyards.[9] During the 1960 groundbreaking ceremony, STL leaders joined in an ecumenical prayer for the space age: "We dedicate this building then to the protection of our land, to the discovery of our universe, but most of all to the spearheading of Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men."[10]
- ^ Ruben F. Mettler (June 29, 1962). "Center Reflects Confidence in Future". Daily Breeze.
We dedicate our new home with five buildings completed, and soon we will break ground for a sixth. Our expectations for the future are indicated by the fact that the 110-acre site of Space Technology Center can accommodate 14 buildings and more than 10,000 employees.
- ^ Terri Vermeulen (June 22, 1993). "Gore seeks defense workers' input about plant conversion". United Press International. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
The Redondo Beach electronics plant and other Southern California TRW facilities have gone from a peak of 19,000 employees in 1988 to a current force of 9,000.
- ^ "Construction Starts on Systems Group's New Facility". TRW Systems Group Sentinel (monthly newspaper for employees). Vol. X, no. 2. December 1, 1967.
Construction is underway on TRW's new facility in Manhattan Beach. The 90-acre development is adjacent to Systems Group's 110-acre Space Park site in Redondo Beach. ... Completion of the first building is scheduled for October 1968. ... will house 7,000 employees upon completion.
- ^ "Parks and Facilities". City of Manhattan Beach. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
Marine Avenue Park, Skate Spot, Athletic Fields: Located at 1625 Marine Avenue, Developed in 1987: One of the newest parks in the City, this property is owned by TRW, which is located adjacent to the property, and is leased to the City. Encompassing just over 7.5 acres, this park is a favorite spot for young children's birthday parties and family gatherings. Marine Sport Complex: Located at 1801 Marine Avenue, Developed in 2001: ... It was purchased from TRW by the City and then sold to the Beach Cities Health District with a lease-back agreement to the City.
- ^ James Bates (November 26, 1996). "Manhattan Beach to Get 14 Sound Stages". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
The $77-million project, to be built on 22 largely undeveloped acres formerly owned by defense giant TRW, comes at a time when producers have been scrambling to find available sound stages. ... The Manhattan Beach Studios would be the first large-scale Hollywood production facility built in the South Bay, an area traditionally known for its aerospace work.
- ^ Louis G. Dunn (June 29, 1962). "STL Lives in an Atmosphere of Urgency". Daily Breeze.
Space Technology Center is designed to augment the capability of our company, and of our parent company, Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc.
- ^ "TRW Inc. - Home". Archived from the original on 1 February 2003.
On December 12, 2002, Northrop Grumman completed its acquisition of TRW Inc.
- ^ "Northrop Grumman". The Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
It was the country's first group of space science laboratories and manufacturing facilities designed solely for the entire process of designing, building, and testing spacecraft—described in the jargon of space technologists as "blueprint to black sky capability."
- ^ Peter Pae and W.J. Hennigan (June 28, 2016). "Simon Ramo dies at 103; TRW co-founder shaped California aerospace". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
The campus-like buildings, which won architectural awards, were designed so every engineer could have a desk with a window view of tree-scaped courtyards.
- ^ "Ground Breaking Invocation, Prayer For The Space Age". SenTineL (monthly newspaper for employees). Vol. 3, no. 3. January 9, 1961.
Oh God, as we venture out more and more into the unknown of space, may we never forget that Thou are known; that You are the creator of this world and the universe that surrounds it. In a time such as this when new horizons are being opened up beyond our wildest imaginations, keep us ever mindful that the heart of man must be one of peace as we prepare to move into space. Too long we have centered our eyes on our scientific advances and too little on the spiritual renewal needed within. We pray for a return of that simple faith, that old-fashioned trust in God, that made strong and great our pioneer forefathers as they ventured out into the unknown. May we ever be ready to turn our missiles into ministers of mercy. Guide those who ensure our safety, but most of all guide us each in the quest for the things of the spirit. We dedicate this building then to the protection of our land, to the discovery of our universe, but most of all to the spearheading of "Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men."