Firefighting contingencies are launch specific and are coordinated as part of the comprehensive launch safety planning process. As part of this process, a fire mitigation plan will be developed to address risks associated with launch failures. For both vertical and horizontal launches, the flight path will carry the rocket immediately over water, minimizing risk of forest fires near the launch site.

MLI envisions the launch sites will be funded through a public/private partnership.

Visitors and residents alike will still be able to enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – potentially with added amenities. As demonstrated in Brevard County, Florida, which is home to the nation’s Space Coast, economic revenue increases are directly tied to launch events. Hospitality, dining establishments and other tourist destinations stand to benefit from the increase in visitors to MLI sites.

Jobs will come in many forms, from design-build-construction jobs to bring our vision to life to the mechanics, engineers, scientists, analysts and others needed to get satellites off the ground an into orbit. By 2023, the MLI will have created 650 new jobs averaging between $85,000 and $100,000 in annual salary. By 2033, the MLI will have created upwards of 2,260. MAMA expects revenue of $150 million in 2023 that will top $500 million by 2033.

Noise generated from rocket launches varies greatly for different launch systems. For horizontal launch systems that take off under jet power, the initial noise is similar to other aircraft operations. It is unlikely members of surrounding communities would hear rocket noise from horizontal launch operations, as rocket ignition would occur over open water at significant distances from land. While noise from vertical launch operations would be audible, it would be temporary, infrequent and only loud enough to result in minor impacts like disruption of conversations.

A preliminary environmental screening is being conducted as part of the ongoing site selection and feasibility studies. A comprehensive environmental review for each proposed site will be prepared by the FAA pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate potential environmental impacts and applies to a federal agency’s decisions and actions, including the approval of the projects proposed by the MLI. The FAA’s environmental review will evaluate the potential environmental impacts and measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate them.

To obtain a launch site operator license, applicants must follow the process described in 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 420, License to Operate a Launch Site. Before making a license determination, the FAA will conduct extensive environmental, policy, location and safety reviews. The environmental review portion of the license application analyzes potential environmental impacts that could result from the construction and operation of a launch site. The policy review determines whether potential exists to affect U.S. national security, foreign policy interests, or international obligations. For the launch site location review, the applicant must demonstrate that at least one type of the proposed expendable or reusable launch vehicles can be safely flown from the launch site. In the safety review, the applicant must demonstrate an understanding of potential launch site hazards and provide operational plans to safely support launch site operations. As part of the permitting process, Input will be sought from each community where the proposed facilities will be located.

MAMA is in process of completing its final report to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Command and Control Center team is working on grant funding as part of its phased-in approach that will include analysis, systems architecture, modeling and simulation throughout the remainder of 2021, with the goal of bringing the facility online by June 2023. It will be the first of the three MLI facilities to become operational. Similar processes for the Oscoda and Granot Loma sites have begun and will include listening and public input sessions, environmental assessments, FAA permitting and site planning. The Horizontal Spaceport in Oscoda is scheduled to open in August 2023. It will be followed by the Vertical Spaceport in Marquette in August 2025.

Traditional vertical launch vehicles typically take off under rocket power from a fixed launch pad. Traditional vertical launch vehicles are defined based on the payload weight the vehicle can deliver to low earth orbit. This ranges from small launch vehicles that can carry payloads of up to 3,300 pounds through large launch vehicles that can carry payloads larger than 15,000 pounds. MLI is proposing to limit the site development to only support small launch vehicles.

Horizontal reusable launch vehicles are launch systems that can take off and land horizontally on conventional runways. The horizontal reusable launch vehicles can takeoff under either jet power, such as a conventional aircraft. Horizontal reusable launch vehicles can land by means of jet power or a controlled glide. MLI is proposing to initially focus on horizontal launch systems the depart the airport under jet power.

Commercial space launch sites are facilities that support the processing, integration and launch of vertical or horizontal launch vehicles. Traditional vertical launch vehicles typically take off under rocket power from a fixed launch pad. Additional vertical launch infrastructure such service structures, lightning protection, propellant loading systems, vehicle processing facilities, etc. are often provided to support launch activities. Horizontal reusable launch vehicles are launch systems that can take off and land horizontally on conventional runways. Commercial space launch sites also provide necessary support services for launch operations, including utilities, security and firefighting capabilities.

Both the horizontal and vertical launch sites proposed by MLI will encompass a minimal footprint. Existing structures at each site will be repurposed to the extent possible, and additional structures will be constructed in accordance with existing zoning laws. As currently envisioned, renewable energy, solar and wind technologies will be used to provide electrical power. As MLI is only proposing the launch of small lift class vehicles, the vertical launch site footprint will be significantly smaller than those currently utilized at launch site facilities in Florida or California.

The MLI proposes to build new infrastructure and facilities to operate both vertical and horizontal commercial space launch sites in Michigan. Through a competitive state-funded site selection process, national spaceport consultants selected Granot Loma in Marquette County as the proposed location for the development of a vertical launch site and Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport as the proposed location for the horizontal launch site. MLI is proposing approximately 12 launches per year from each site. The actual launch rate will likely begin much lower and     increase slowly over several years.  Additionally, the consultants identified Chippewa County as the location for a Command and Control Center.

The space industry continues to be a fast-growing market with tremendous potential based on its consistent year-to-year growth and the emergence of significant private investments. In 2005, global revenues from the space industry were $175 billion; in 2019, they grew to nearly $424 billion. The rise of private investment in the industry has also played a major role in the industry’s growth. From 2000-2005, private investments accounted for approximately $1 billion. In 2020, investments set a new annual record of nearly $9 billion. Some of the world’s largest corporations, such as Amazon and Microsoft, are planning to invest more in 2021 and beyond, indicating private investments will continue pushing the industry to new heights.

While the sector suffered one down year in 2009, the space industry’s growth has shown it is largely recession-proof. The industry was expected to be one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic; yet 2020 turned out to be a record year for investments. Launches also remained unaffected, with 41 successful launches in 2020 – on par with the previous five-year average of 43. Major financial firms are also bullish on the industry’s prospects: both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs estimate the industry will be worth approximately $1 trillion by 2040, while Merrill Lynch projects it to grow to $2.7 trillion. Regardless of which estimate is correct, the industry is projecting to see significantly more investment and revenue over the next two decades.

The Michigan Launch Initiative, or MLI, is a public/private partnership organized by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association working to solidify our state’s place as a premier commercial aerospace destination.  The MLI provides a collaborative platform for industry, government agencies and academic partners to develop and provide low earth orbit (LEO) and hypersonic launch technology for commercial and national security applications. The MLI’s priority is to identify and organize industry partners to establish and operate horizontal and vertical satellite launch facilities and a command center in Michigan. The MLI seeks to support the entirety of the space mission by encouraging future customers to be located near the launch facilities and providing a command center that can be utilized by future customers.