Jeff: Typically when you think
of rocket Lawrence, you think of
came canaveral or the Kennedy
space center.
Now a group in Michigan is
attempting to build a new launch
site alongside lake sphere Orr
but many Michigan locals are
fighting to keep the plan from
taking off.
Special correspondent Megan
Thompson reports.
>> After more than three decades
as a trial attorney in Chicago,
Denny Ferraro looked forward to
a quiet retirement.
He moved to Michigan's upper
peninsula, an area he'd visited
as a child.
>> And I could never forget the
beauty of the landscape or the
fresh water.
>> Then three years after he
bought his retreat on lake
superior, he received some
unwelcome news.
>> You sue -- see that beautiful
program tori of land with the
beautiful sand?
That's where it's going to be
built.
>> That is a space port for
launching small and medium-sized
rockets.
>> We are looking forward to
this exciting time to bring
Michigan into the space state
status.
>> In this video from the
"Detroit freepres," the project
was announced in July 2020 by GM
brown.
The group he represents also
wants to build a horizontal air
site where an aircraft carrying
a pay Lloyd takes off from a
runway and a command center in
other participates of the state.
The launch pad in the U.P. Would
be used to launch so-called lo
low-orbit is the into space.
>> Anyone who has a satellite is
already using low Earth orbit.
>> James says the 5,000
satellites bristled everything
from G.P.S. To broad band
internet net to images of Earth.
>> They run from what's going on
in the oceans, through
agriculture.
They're already helping the
military enormously.
>> He says other things that
sound like science fiction now
could be reality soon.
Things like space tourism and
hypersonic flight.
>> It would be going from D.C.
To shiedny in an -- sidny in tan
hour.
>> As the technology takes off,
so does the interest in building
more launch sites.
On top of the two sites owned by
Elon Musk and others many are
being considered.
Somewhere between 15 and 20 more
communities, James said.
>> It will look like a vibrant,
robust space industry
contributing to hundreds of
jocks.
>> The Michigan space agency
received $2 million from the
state to study and form its
plans, which it said would
create 650 new jocks and
potentially put millions into
Michigan's economy.
>> It could have a significant
impact.
>> Christopher lane leads the
partnership.
One of the area's mainly
academic -- economic groups.
>> At this point we're
supportive of it as long as it
plays out and the community
decides that's what is helpful.
>> That decision is largely not
It's home to wild live like
bears and eagles and highly
popular trials and beaches and
sits on the shores of lake
interior.
>> It's the cleanest of the
great Lakes.
It's the wildest of the great
Lakes.
It's all these superlatives.
It's already to capture in
words.
>> Karl Lundqvist leads the
superior watershed partnership,
one of several groups opposing
the project because of
environmental concerns.
>> First and foremost is water
quality, protecting lake
superior.
Habitat impacts, light
pollution, noise pollution,
quality of life.
All these issues.
>> He points out that local and
international groups have been
working for decades to protect
lake sphere Orr from development
and climate change.
>> Now these outside developers
come in and want to plop a
rocket launch right outside of
our community.
From a climate standpoint it's
appalling.
>> Another concern?
According to the F.A.A. Around
11% of all Lawrence result in a
mishatch.
That means potential road
closures and even evacuations.
>> To launch here makes no
sense.
>> Denny also doesn't think a
space port here would be a boon
to an economy.
He got his hands on a taxpayer
funded report by the I.Q.M.
Research institute that
previously hadn't been released
to the public.
It estimated the space projects
combined would give annual
income equivalent to two
decision arable -- additional
fast food projects.
>> I want to see this area
preserved for whenever comes and
lives here.
It says protect lake spear your.
>> He started a nonprofit called
citizens for a clean and safe
lake superior.
Thereto -- there's a billboard
on the main highway.
A local college student started
an online petition opposing the
launch pad that's gathered
signatures from over 25,000
people all over the world.
The opposition could spell
trouble in Camden Georgia,
public outrange has been holding
up a project there.
To move forward in the U.P., the
spaceport promoters will need to
complete environmental and
safety studies, get a license
from the F.A.A. And gain the
approval of the public township.
Darlene turner, the countyship
supervisor says the association
has yet to meet with the
township and gave them no heads
up about their plans.
>> First time we heard it was
when there was a note in the
court.
>> You think it will pass?
>> My personal opinion is no.
>> If that happens, turner says
the spaceport backers can turn
to the sports.
The Michigan manufactureerer's
association declined our
interview requests but via
email, a spokesperson questioned
the validity of the economic
report and wrote, new and
greater launch technologies,
including electronic propulsion
systems continue to be developed
that willlessen environmental
impact.
But those won't say Denny.
>> It's something we need to
protect not only for our
lifetime but for our generation
and generations to come.
>> From pow elle township,
Michigan.