Construction of a Vertical Launch Site near Granot Loma and directly on the shore of Lake Superior was proposed by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) as part of the Michigan Launch Initiative. Recognizing the immeasurable value of Lake Superior's freshwater resources, CSCLS began a grassroots campaign to stop the rocket. In November of 2023, after a 3 year campaign, the Powell Township Board passed a resolution to prevent rezoning of Granot Loma for a launch site, effectively stopping the rocket.
The proposed rocket launch site was located within Powell Township, on a property referred to as "Granot Loma". The site is located directly on the shore of Lake Superior near Thoneys Point, and is in close proximity of recreation areas such as Echo Lake, the North Country Trail, the Hiawatha Water Trail, the Little Garlic River, the Elliott Donnelly Wilderness Tract, the Eagles Nest Community Forest, and the Noquemanon Trail Network.
This land is home to:
Above, land ownership map of a portion of Marquette County, containing the proposed rocket launch site outlined in bright pink
Even after successful launches, pieces of rockets, containing kerosene propellent residue, would fall into the lake or land below, including nose cones, large battery packs, engines, and rocket body pieces. During rocket failure, the entirety of the rocket would end up in Lake Superior or in the adjacent coastal forest.
Rocket launches risk physically contaminating Lake Superior, surrounding rivers and streams, and soil. At Pacific Spaceport in Kodiak, Alaska, rocket launch failure led to the contamination of 230 metric tons of soil, which had to be excavated and treated off-site.
Rocket launches would also introduce sound pollution. Sound pollution significantly impacts wildlife, especially birds, land mammals, and echolocators. Additionally, launches noise would disrupt humans for miles around.
The construction of at least 3 lighting towers with heights of about 100 feet tall would pollute the area's dark sky.
Read Environmental Issues Surrounding the Proposed Marquette Spaceport
The construction of a spaceport would include the clear cutting of boreal forest and destruction of wetlands. This eradication of habitat threatens wildlife and important ecosystems.
Granot Loma as it is today
A launch pad at a vertical rocket launch site
For each rocket launch, surrounding areas would be required to evacuate. This includes homes, roads, and outdoor recreation areas (both on land and in water).
At SpaceX's Boca Chica spaceport, locals lost access to roads, public areas, and their only public beach. During launches, Boca Chica residents have been instructed to leave their homes due to risk of launch vibrations shattering windows. SpaceX has now bought many of them out of their homes.
According to IQMRI's economic report commissioned by MAMA, “the annual revenue generated from a launch cadence of one rocket launch per week in Michigan would have the same revenue impact in the State equal to the annual revenue of two additional fast-food chain restaurants".
IQMRI reported MAMA's plan to be "not self-sustaining nor economically viable" and characterized investing in the spaceport as "high risk and low return".
MAMA:
Marquette:
