A Michigan site-selection committee chooses the Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport near Lake Huron as the top site for a space launch facility.
The announcement was made by state officials and the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association.
Selecting a site is one of the steps in a plan to develop several low Earth orbit launch sites and a command center. Some of the development work for the site will be funded through a $2 million state grant.
Wurtsmith was an Air Force Base up until 1993 when it closed.
Wurtsmith is leased by Kalitta Air services, a major charter flight business, which is the largest private enterprise employer in northern Michigan.
The new industry is for small horizontal launch satellites, but they could also grow into a space tourism industry.
More analysis will be done. Other states are investigating small satellite launches.
