Those of us who have never witnessed firsthand a professional space launch, and may not be inclined to travel to someplace like Cape Canaveral in Florida might have the opportunity much closer to home thanks to news from the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association regarding the potential for a new vertical launch Spaceport just north of Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association has announced findings from a site-selection process for a vertical space launch site that has identified a location just north of Marquette.
Conducted by spaceport consultants BRPH and Kimley-Horn, the site-selection process has been a year-long effort. Sites were ranked based on several factors, including existing commercial and public infrastructure, geographic and terrestrial mapping, living standards and workforce development. Operations are expected to begin by early 2025.
U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman, who represents the 1st District, says, “The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to some of the hardest working and most resourceful people in the world,” and adds, “Locating this Spaceport in the U.P. will create the opportunity for our residents to use their skills, talents and technological expertise to adapt to the changing needs of the commercial and defense space industries.”
The announcement for the vertical space launch comes just months after MAMA identified the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport outside of Oscoda as the top candidate for a horizontal Spaceport. Licensing through the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has begun for that site with operations projected to begin in late 2023 or early 2024.
Senator Ed McBroom, who represents Michigan’s 38th District in the Michigan Senate says, “This announcement is a true win for the people of the U.P.,” adding, “We are very pleased that the U.P.’s many attributes were recognized through the vetting process. The vertical spaceport could bring quality job prospects to the region and highlight Michigan as a center for excellence and innovation.”
The two launch sites in Marquette and Oscoda, along with a yet-to-be-identified command and control center, will create more than 2,000 jobs. Those sites will be instrumental in creating a space ecosystem in the state that is projected to top 40,000 new jobs by 2025.
Gavin Brown, Executive Director of the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association, says, “Michigan has a real opportunity to support a space-based ecosystem,” and notes, “The Marquette location will be a critical component, bringing low-earth orbit vertical launch capabilities to the state to meet the domestic and global demand. By integrating sophisticated infrastructure with first-rate human talent, Michigan can be one of the leaders in the space industry.”
Industry officials say that Michigan is uniquely positioned to take advantage of integrated space resources working collaboratively to serve industries like autonomous technology, automotive, communications, medical, education and first responders. Michigan will be able to meet the demand for commercial, government and defense space launches, including the demand for complete geographic broadband coverage, including 5G for electric vehicles anywhere in the United States.
In June of 2019, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $2 million to assess the feasibility of developing one or more low-orbit launch sites in Michigan. In February 2020, MAMA announced the Oscoda site as the top candidate for a horizontal launch facility.
State Rep. Sara Cambensy, who represents Michigan’s 109th District in the State House, says, “I’m pleased the Marquette area has been chosen as a vertical space launch site and appreciate the comprehensive and thoughtful process that led to the selection,” and suggests, “This will help bring a new industry to the U.P. and to our state that will provide good-paying jobs to our residents.”
Now that the site has been selected, aerospace manufacturers will work with community, local, and state partners to solicit feedback as part of the licensing process with the FAA. A command and control center analysis is currently being conducted with an expected completion date of November 2020.
Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association is a member-supported organization that serves the interests of Michigan’s aerospace and defense manufacturing firms with a single unified voice, promoting the state of Michigan’s aerospace and defense manufacturing community within the global industry. You can learn more online at: http://www.michman.org
The rendering of a proposed Marquette Spaceport complex accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association.
