MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) – UPDATE at 4:00 pm
The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association announced Thursday the findings of a site selection process for a vertical space launch site that has identified a location just north of Marquette.
Carried out by spaceport consultants BRPH and Kimley-Horn, the site selection process has been a one-year effort. The sites were classified according to various factors, including existing commercial and public infrastructure, geographic and land mapping, living standards, and workforce development.
Operations are expected to begin in early 2025. The two launch sites at Marquette and Oscoda, along with an unidentified command and control center, will create more than 2,000 jobs. These sites will be critical to creating a space ecosystem in the state that is projected to exceed 40,000 new jobs by 2025.
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Original story:
The Michigan Launch Initiative, an effort led by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA), is moving forward with a vertical launch site and autonomous vehicle testing grounds to be located on the Michigan Upper Peninsula.
While the process began over a year ago to find the perfect site, in January of this year, Chippewa County EDC and Marquette County jointly submitted a letter of cooperation with a collaborative goal to establish a primary case for The Upper Peninsula become a licensed spaceport and demonstrate the cooperative base that exists in the region. As a result, the vertical launch site will be located in Marquette County and the autonomous vehicle test fields will be located in Chippewa County.
The decision was announced on Thursday, July 23, 2020 by Gavin Brown, CEO of MAMA, after a long and arduous review process that analyzes all the attributes of the different sites that compete for the title, with security being the number one criterion. .
“If you look at a minimal population density, access to water, launch trajectories, things of that nature that are associated with launches, the northern part of our great state actually serves this very well.” Brown said.
The two locations will become part of the MAMA Launch Initiative in Michigan, which also includes Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, which was announced earlier this year as the location for the horizontal launches.
“Today is just one step forward,” Brown explained, “but it is an important and vital step in securing Michigan’s position in the space industry.”
The initiative has been moving towards the Federal Aviation Administration license, which must be obtained prior to the development of the sites.
“Selecting a vertical launch site on the Upper Peninsula creates the potential for the region to become a leader in low-earth orbit satellites and autonomous vehicle technology,” explained Chris Olson, president of the Economic Development Corporation of the Chippewa County. “The resulting economic impact on the UP and throughout the state will be significant.”
Commissioner President Gerald Corkin, who represents Marquette County, said he hopes the launch site will have a major economic impact, including more job opportunities not just for Marquette County but for the entire Upper Peninsula.
“This is a great opportunity for the Upper Peninsula and we could not have accomplished it without the support of our state and federal legislators, county staff, private Lake Superior Community Partnership partners such as Telkite Enterprises LLC, Artemis Energy LLC, Explorer Solutions, LaDolce Video, Lucid Coast and many more. “
Brown reiterated growth opportunities and mentioned several existing aerospace companies currently operating in the Upper Peninsula and their Canadian counterpart, such as Orbion Space, GES Engineering, REL, Inc., Northern Wings Repair, Creative Composites, Springer Aerospace, Humphrey Aircraft Services, to name a few were another attractive component to the site selection process.
Troy Morris, Chief Operating Officer of Kall Morris Inc., a Michigan-based startup working to solve the global space debris problem, demonstrated how the space business is already operating in Michigan. Founded by fellow graduates of the University of Northern Michigan, these students are working to build and operate spacecraft for debris removal.
“Keeping space free for all builds the foundation for humanity’s continued expansion into space. Thanks to the support of the state government, organizations and people involved in the growing aerospace sector, exciting developments like the Michigan Launch Initiative continue to support the path to success. KMI is excited to work with Michigan and the Upper Peninsula as the region plays an important role in this exciting future. ” Morris said.
“We are already seeing increased interest in locating at Sawyer International Airport from outside the area. We are currently hosting a development company and are talking to a telecommunications business about the services that will be needed to support the spaceport initiatives, “said Amy Clickner, CEO of Lake Superior Community Development.” This is a real game changer. “
As part of MAMA’s effort to develop Michigan’s space industry, it will host the Third Annual North American Space Summit in Traverse City, Michigan, from August 30 to September 2. This event provides attendees with an excellent opportunity to network with those leading the space race. on the latest developments in standards, regulations, technology and promoting your business interests. For more information visit www.TheNASS.org.
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