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Spaceport Michigan / A long-term vision

A larger horizon.
Rooted in Michigan.

Exploring an aerospace future centered on the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette County—with the Upper Peninsula’s people, identity, and environment at the heart of the conversation.

Spaceport Michigan concept art: a forest spaceport with a compact teal-lit Caelus installation, Earth’s curved horizon, and a subtle Michigan outline with an understated connection between Saline and Marquette.
Spaceport Michigan / Promotional concept artAn imaginative illustration of MiST’s long-term vision. The scene and map are illustrative; they do not depict an existing facility or an approved site plan.
The concept

Spaceport Michigan

Spaceport Michigan is MiST’s proposed long-term vision for an aerospace development and future launch-operations hub. K.I. Sawyer is the location MiST would like to explore for that vision.

The idea connects MiST’s launch and propulsion development with a broader opportunity: technical work, workforce pathways, research, and responsible economic development in Michigan.

MiST has begun outreach to regional stakeholders to discuss the concept and seek input. Any next step depends on detailed feasibility work and sustained local engagement.

Proposed concept

Start with the right questions.

What activities are technically feasible? What infrastructure would they require? How could the project benefit residents and local businesses? What environmental and operational constraints must shape the plan?

Spaceport Michigan is a vision under exploration. MiST is not presenting it as an operating or approved launch site.

Potential value

Build opportunity
with the community.

These are goals to investigate with local stakeholders as the concept develops.

01 / INDUSTRY

Technical work

Explore opportunities for aerospace engineering, fabrication, integration, and testing, with a role for Michigan suppliers and businesses.

02 / PEOPLE

Workforce pathways

Investigate connections among employers, educators, and students that could create practical routes into aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

03 / PLACE

Thoughtful development

Study how a future aerospace project could fit existing infrastructure and community priorities while respecting the region’s natural beauty.

A responsible path forward

Listen first.
Study carefully.
Build with purpose.

The Upper Peninsula is more than a potential project location. Its culture, landscape, and community interests must help shape any future proposal.

  • Community dialogueSeek local perspectives on potential benefits, concerns, and conditions for responsible development.
  • Feasibility & infrastructureAssess site suitability, technical requirements, funding, and the practical scope of any proposed activities.
  • Environmental & operational reviewEvaluate relevant environmental, airspace, safety, and permitting requirements before proposing operations.
  • Phased developmentUse findings to determine whether a viable project exists and what a realistic next stage could be.

Join the conversation.

We welcome perspectives from the Upper Peninsula, industry, and education.

Discuss Spaceport Michigan ↗