Tim Lee

Boeing Technical Fellow, 2025 IEEE-USA President, Microelectronics Technologist

[Starbase Brewing @StarbaseBrewing]

Just released a new beer “Go For Launch”, only available at Space Center Houston! @SpaceCenterHou

6-packs coming soon to the gift shop!

Official Beer of Space Center Houston 🚀

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@StarbaseBrewing @SpaceCenterHou Great work!

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

SpaceX: "Today, we are announcing that Terafab will be built in Grimes County, Texas. The facility will be an advanced semiconductor fab that will bridge the divide between current global chip supply and the compute demand of the future.

The combined SpaceX and Tesla demand for chips is expected to be in excess of 1 terawatt (TW) of compute, which is significantly larger than the current global supply. While we are deeply appreciative of our current chip suppliers, and encourage them to expand production whenever possible, this looming gulf between supply and demand is at the core of Terafab’s necessity.

Terafab will be epic in both its mission and in its sheer size, designed to build new compute at an unprecedented scale and speed. A vertically integrated factory with more than 100 million square feet of manufacturing space is planned. This facility will house the manufacturing, packaging, and testing of advanced logic and memory devices. Bringing these aspects together in one location will enable fast, recursive improvements and accelerate new compute deployed. Terafab will produce chips optimized for edge computing and inference for use in hardware like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, along with high-power chips designed for operating SpaceX’s space-based data centers.

BRINGING BACK ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TO AMERICA
Advanced chips are becoming foundational infrastructure for the modern economy. AI systems, satellites, secure communications, and advanced manufacturing all depend on reliable access to compute hardware. Much of the world’s semiconductor production remains concentrated overseas, and the United States has recognized the importance of rebuilding advanced manufacturing capacity domestically. Terafab aligns with that broader national effort by expanding high-end manufacturing capacity in Texas.

Texas has become central to our operations through Starbase, Bastrop, and McGregor, thanks to its commitment to innovation, manufacturing, and American leadership. SpaceX’s growing Texas footprint alone has already generated more than 56,000 direct and indirect jobs, over $28 billion in estimated economic impact since 2024, and hundreds of millions in indirect tax revenue since 2024.

The initial phase of Terafab is estimated to require approximately $16.8 billion in capital investments from SpaceX and Tesla, with potential future expansion phases bringing total investment much higher. This facility will employ at least 3,000 people, many of whom will be from Grimes and nearby Brazos County — continuing the trend of our other Texas sites where between 60% and 80% of new hires are local residents.

Grimes County offers strategic advantages for long-term industrial investment, including infrastructure access, available land, and proximity to major Texas markets. This project represents a significant opportunity for skilled trades, construction employment, suppliers and contractors, and long-term technical workforce development. We intend to work with local schools and workforce partners to help create pathways for future employment opportunities, responding to the unique needs of each community.

SpaceX and Tesla also take our role as being good stewards of the environment seriously. The Terafab site is committing to the use of Gibbons Creek Reservoir water for industrial operations rather than local groundwater; planned on-site wastewater treatment facilities; water reuse and conservation efforts; compliance with all applicable environmental and pollution control laws; and management of hazardous materials, chemicals, and industrial byproducts in accordance with all applicable regulations—while striving to exceed them.

BUILDING AN EXCITING FUTURE
We believe continued progress and leadership in space, AI, and advanced manufacturing will depend on the ability to build critical technologies domestically. By building and operating the largest chip manufacturing facility on the planet, we’re continuing down a path where future humans can compete over building the largest facilities in the solar system, and eventually the galaxy.

If you want to be a part of building that exciting future, come join us."

[NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin]

NASA recently recognized one of America’s outstanding engineers.

At @SpaceX’s Rocket Development Facility in McGregor, Texas, I joined Congressman @PeteSessions and McGregor Mayor Jim Lilley to present Andrew Berkowitz with NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Award.

Andrew’s pioneering research to better understand liquid methane and oxygen explosions is helping enable the next generation of rockets that will return Americans to the Moon, establish a sustained U.S. presence on the lunar surface, and prepare us for Mars.

America’s greatest achievements in space are built by extraordinary people whose work often happens behind the scenes. Andrew’s contributions will help shape the future of exploration for years to come.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Andrew, and thank you for your contributions to NASA’s mission and America’s future in space.

[NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin]

NASA’s next great exploration asset, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will launch aboard a Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center on August 30, ahead of schedule and under budget!

Congratulations to the entire @NASA and @NASAScience_ team. This is the way.

[NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin]

Artemis III continues to come together. Grateful to all the @NASA teams, our contractors and partners, all working so diligently towards this national imperative. We are going 🌖🇺🇸

[DogeDesigner @cb_doge]

Time-lapse of today’s Starship flight, from liftoff to splashdown, in just 150 seconds. 🚀

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@emmysteuer IEEE is starting a SpaceTech Initiative to build a technical community inspired to live and work in space!

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@PhilipJohnston IEEE is starting a SpaceTech Initiative to build a technical community inspired to live and work in space!

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@emmysteuer Great video on the topic

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@DimaZeniuk Teamwork!

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Starship soared on the second flight of the next generation, deploying advanced Starlink satellites for the first time and providing priceless data as it travelled through air, space, and sea → https://t.co/Rp7VwBzpWx

[Tito @Giga_tito]

I am extremely lucky to get to work with every single one of these dudes. This is the hardest-working team I’ve ever been a part of!

Starship engine install team is the coolest team on the planet! 🚀🌎📍

[Tito @Giga_tito]

Starship Engine Install Team 🚀

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@giga_tito When is the beer from StarFall coming?

[Tim Lee @timlee278]

@elonmusk @SpaceX Outstanding!

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Starship as seen from Starlink satellites

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Starship is intact, floating in the ocean and transmitting telemetry!

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Liftoff of Starship!

[NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin]

Pretty clear from this shot that @SpaceX knows where we are going! Congrats on getting Flight 13 underway. Excited for what will be learned from this mission. When Starship comes online, its capabilities will be game-changing, not least of which will be ensuring we never give up the Moon again!