The Sky is Not the Limit in Oscoda, Michigan

Imagine rockets launching toward the heavens over Lake Huron. It's not science fiction, now that the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport has been selected by the Michigan Launch Initiative as a horizontal rocket launch site.

A former Air Force base, the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport could see rocket operations as early as 2023, if it receives the necessary licensure from the Federal Aviation Administration. A horizontal launch basically means that large jets would ferry satellite bundles high enough to be launched into low- and mid-Earth orbit. The intent for the site is to create environmentally safe launch operations, with as many as 300 launches in Oscoda each year. Oscoda was ultimately chosen for a number of factors, including population density, proximity to water and a supportive community.

Want to visit the site of these future rocket launches? The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport is home to the Wurtsmith Air Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB) and aviation in Northeastern Michigan. Visitors can peruse three hangars full of military and aviation history, artifacts, equipment and WAFB memorabilia. Static aircraft displays include a UH-1H (Huey) Helicopter, a T-33 Jet Trainer and several civilian General Aviation aircraft. The museum is open mid-May through mid-September.

"I believe that space travel will one day become as common as airline travel is today." —Buzz Aldrin