Spaceport Sheboygan

Spaceport Sheboygan
Formation 2005
Location
Owner Great Lakes Aerospace Science & Education Center
Executive Director
 Daniel W. Bateman
Staff
2
Website www.spaceportsheboygan.com

Spaceport Sheboygan is a science education facility in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Launch site

Sheboygan (Geographical coordinates: 43°45'3.6"N, 87°42'50.4"W) was first used as a site for launching suborbital rockets in 1995.[1] More than 300 students from Wisconsin and neighboring states developed and ran experiments using eight foot rockets as part of a local Rockets for Schools program. 20 foot rocket were also launched with assistance from specialists. The maximum altitude of these rockets are usually in the range of 4900 feet (1500 meters). However some of these rockets, equipped with engines of M and N type reached altitudes of 9800 feet (3000 meters). Sheboygan's location west of a restricted airspace over a large lake is ideal for launching rockets and spaceships.[1] An area of Lake Michigan has been restricted since the 1940s, when the United States military had an anti-aircraft training range at Camp Haven. The camp has been closed since 1959, and the site has been redeveloped as Whistling Straits golf course.

On a number of occasions Super Loki sounding rockets were launched from Sheboygan by the Florida Space Institute, which reached maximum altitudes of 50 miles (80 kilometers).

Proposed spaceport

State Senator Joe Leibham and State Assembly representative Steve Kestell introduced legislation in the state legislature to create a Wisconsin Aerospace Authority in 2005. The proposed site has been endorsed by NASA astronauts like Jim Lovell.[2] The bill was signed by Wisconsin governor James Doyle in April 2006.[3] The authority was created to allow the proposed spaceport to use NASA funds. The proposal does not include using any public funds.[4] The spaceport is the only one in the Midwestern United States.[5]

The building is currently used to show movies and host flea markets.

Great Lakes Aerospace Science & Education Center

Museum entrance
Education building side

The spaceport building was initially housed at the Sheboygan Armory, but the building was closed to the public, except for private events and non-space related films. It was developing an exhibit hall with interactive stations, an education experience, and a planetarium theater.

In late 2013, the spaceport moved from the Sheboygan Armory to the former Triple Play building at the Blue Harbor Resort.[6] It opened on April 12, 2014.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Marley, Patrick (2005-11-29). "Bill envisions liftoff for Sheboygan". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  2. ↑ Jones, Tim (January 29, 2006). "Sheboygan wants to be big cheese in space". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  3. ↑ Babe, Ann (April 17, 2006). "Doyle signs off on new spaceport". Badger Herald. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  4. ↑ Egan, Dan (2005-12-26). "Sheboygan's space odyssey". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Courtney (April 4, 2006). "Sheboygan could benefit economically from state spaceport". Badger Herald. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  6. 1 2 Weyandt, Janet (March 3, 2014). "Blastoff to a New Journey". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved February 24, 2016.

Coordinates: 43°45′03.6″N 87°42′50.4″W / 43.751000°N 87.714000°W / 43.751000; -87.714000

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