Nestled in the hills of Southern California near San Clemente, Northrop Grumman’s Capistrano Test Site (CTS) has been a proving ground for state-of-the-art technologies since 1963. The 2,700-acre site contains test areas used to develop and test spacecraft and rocket propulsion systems. It was the development site for the engine that landed Apollo astronauts on the moon six times.

Equipment at the site is operated under licenses from a variety of agencies including the South Coast Air Quality management District (AQMD). Northrop Grumman meets all local, state and federal regulations. CTS has conducted over 50,000 tests on space propulsion, directed energy, and advanced energy projects from organizations including the National Air and Space Administration (NASA), the Missile Defense Administration (MDA), the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force, the Department of Energy, and commercial customers.

Test sites and buildings within CTS include the High Energy Propellant Test Stand, the Vertical Engine Test Stand, the Fossil Energy Test Site, the Chemical Laboratory, and Administration buildings.