Michigan Spaceport Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Site-Specific Feasibility Study In collaboration with: Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study Final Report Prepared for: DC3S Building 7205 Sterling Ponds Court Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312 Prepared by: 4582 South Ulster Street Denver, CO 80237 In collaboration with: July 31, 2020 This document contains information proprietary to the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturing Association PROPRIETARY Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study This page is intentionally left blank. Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study PROPRIETARY Executive Summary Kimley-Horn of Michigan, Inc., in collaboration with BRPH, PLLC., completed a site- specific feasibility analysis to evaluate the feasibility of conducting horizontal launch operations out of Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport (OSC). The study approach consisted of the following four elements: 1) evaluate potential concept vehicles, 2) develop a proposed concept of operations, 3) prepare a preliminary explosive site plan, and 4) evaluate spaceport infrastructure needs. The study concluded with the development of a proposed scope of services needed to apply for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch site operator license. Based on the results of the study analysis, the consulting team has determined that Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport meets the requirements to safely operate a commercial spaceport capable of supporting air-launched captive carry launch vehicles as well as stratospheric balloons. While other launch or reentry systems could also be supported, it is not recommended that they be pursued at this time to optimize the value of the license in pursuing near-term opportunities. Concept Vehicle Evaluation The various launch vehicle categories identified in Figure I are all able to operate from an air and space port, similar to the proposed spaceport at OSC. While the site-specific feasibility study determined that all of the concepts could reasonably be supported at OSC, only two concepts were recommended due to their near-term operational potential. Figure I. Vehicle Concepts i PROPRIETARY Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study The concept vehicles identified above were analyzed to determine the operations that are most compatible with existing conditions at OSC and the current state of the industry. The results of the evaluation are shown below in Figure II, with higher numbers indicating more favorable results. This evaluation resulted in a recommendation that both the Concept Z orbital launch vehicle and stratospheric balloon concept be further evaluated and pursued. Operators of both of these concepts have indicated potential interest in the site. Figure II. Vehicle Concept Evaluation ii Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study PROPRIETARY Proposed Concept of Operations The results presented in Figure II were used to determine the vehicle concepts that would be further analyzed in the study and pursued within a proposed Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The elements of the CONOPS that were evaluated within this study were 1) potential launch azimuths for orbital missions, 2) notional flight profiles, 3) notional flight corridors, 4) infrastructure requirements, and 5) explosive siting considerations. Launch Azimuths The launch azimuth is the heading (in degrees), clockwise from north, that a launch vehicle travels. The latitude at the ignition point in combination with the launch azimuth determines the orbital inclinations that are achievable for a launch vehicle. The launch azimuths that were defined as part of this study were developed to satisfy potential sun- synchronous, polar, and high inclination orbits while minimizing rocket-powered overflight of land. Notional Flight Profiles Notional flight profiles and phases of flight were developed using publicly available information or information provided by potential launch operators. The notional flight profiles were used to develop ground tracks of the potential flights and identify regions where expendable launch vehicle stages would potentially return to Earth. Additionally, the phases of the flight profiles were defined for each concept vehicle analyzed as part of this study. Notional Flight Corridors A flight corridor is the region along the ground trace of a flight profile where potential debris from an off-nominal launch is contained. For this study, notional flight corridors were generated based on the notional flight profiles. The flight corridors for the Concept Z flight profiles were developed using guidance from 14 CFR Part 420. The high-altitude balloon flight corridor was developed to approximately encompass all portions of flight with some additional buffer. Detailed flight corridors for each concept vehicle and operating area will need to be developed at a later time when preparing a launch site operator license application. Infrastructure Requirements Each concept vehicle has infrastructure that is required to support launch operations. For the proposed Concept Z vehicles, the most critical piece of infrastructure needed to support operations is a runway of sufficient length. For more non-traditional launch vehicle types, such as a high-altitude balloon, the infrastructure requirements are heavily dependent on the proposed operations. For a high-altitude balloon, the most critical infrastructure is a launch pad location that can be used for all ground operations, including balloon inflation. Both concept vehicles that are evaluated as part of this study require the use of infrastructure, such as propellant storage areas, to support launch operations. iii PROPRIETARY Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study Optional infrastructure may also be developed to support future manufacturing, testing, maintenance, processing, and passenger service operations. Explosive Siting Considerations Concept Z orbital type launch vehicles can use either liquid fuels/oxidizers or solid fuel as propellants. Due to the flammability or potential explosive nature of the propellants, hazardous ground operations related to Concept Z type launch vehicles include fuel storage, oxidizer storage, oxidizer loading, and integration of a hazardous payloads. High-altitude balloons typically utilize high-pressure compressed gas transported in tanker trucks to inflate the balloon. The distances to exposure for outdoor storage or use of bulk compressed gas is documented in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 55 – Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks. It is anticipated that the only hazardous ground operation related to high-altitude balloons would be the temporary fuel storage and high-pressure loading operation. Potentially hazardous operations would need to occur in designated explosive hazard facilities that are located at a safe distance from public areas, public traffic routes, and other explosive hazard facilities. Preliminary Explosive Site Plan A preliminary explosive site plan was developed as part of the study. Various explosive hazard facilities were identified and evaluated, including; 1) Fuel Storage Area (FSA), 2) Oxidizer Storage Area (OSA), 3) Oxidizer Loading Area (OLA), 4) Solid Propellant Staging Area, 5) Test Stands, and 6) Vehicle Processing Facility (VPF). The FSA, OSA, OLA, and Solid Propellant Staging Area can be accommodated with little impact to existing operations and minimal infrastructure improvements. Former Alert Apron The existing alert apron at the north end of the airfield was identified as the preferred location for siting of the primary proposed explosive hazard facilities. Within this area there is sufficient space to appropriately site a FSA, OSA, and OLA. If needed, the OLA could also be utilized as a temporary solid propellant staging area and a location for staging a temporary test stand. A preliminary explosive site plan for the existing alert apron was developed and is presented below in Figure III. It is important to note that the Public Area Distance (PAD) of the OLA overlaps several inhabited buildings that would need to be vacated when conducting hazardous operations. The individual buildings impacted are described in more detail within the study. The alert apron is outside the current aircraft operating area and refurbishment to the pavement along with reactivation of the apron will be required prior to supporting aircraft movements. Modifications to the access fence are also required. It is estimated to cost between $5,000,000 and $13,000,000 to reactivate the alert apron depending on how much pavement is refurbished. iv Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study PROPRIETARY Figure III. Preliminary Explosive Site Plan (Scaled Map) Sources: Kimley-Horn (2020), ArcMap (2020) v PROPRIETARY Michigan Spaceport Site Specific Feasibility Study Future Test Facilities There is currently no adequate location within the existing airport property boundary that can accommodate permanent rocket engine test stand facilities, but there are 650-acres of land owned by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) just west of the airfield that would be ideal for supporting test facilities and other aerospace development (see Figure IV). The land would need to be procured prior to any test stand or aerospace development. Additional landing beyond the 650-acres identified here may also be acquired if needed. Figure IV. Potential Location for Future Test Stand(s) Sources: Kimley-Horn (2020),