ALPENA — The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport on Tuesday is the top candidate for a horizontal spaceport to be built in Michigan, officials from the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association announced Tuesday.

The spaceport would be used for low-orbit launches and hypersonic launch technology for commercial and defense applications, officials said. Satellites would be launched into a polar orbit, circling the Earth from pole to pole, instead of across the equator.

Alpena and Rogers City had also been discussed as possible locations for the spaceport.

The Oscoda airport received the highest ranking because of its runway infrastructure, business capacity, operational strength, and safety track record, a press release from the association said.

The announcement marks the next step in the process of exploring Michigan’s ability to support space-launch facilities and a command and control center to manage commercial satellite operations.

“While much work lies ahead, we are pleased to share these initial results from our due diligence,” association Executive Director Gavin Brown said in a statement. “Such a facility would solidify Michigan’s leadership role in the aerospace and defense industry while becoming an important economic catalyst.”

State Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, and state Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, who represent Northeast Michigan, joined association officials in Lansing for the announcement.

“This initial study is exciting news for the people of northern Michigan, and I look forward to what the continuing study might tell us about how our state might expand into the space sector,” Stamas said in a statement. “The potential to develop a space ecosystem in Michigan complements the long tradition of excellence in automotive manufacturing in our great state.”

The Michigan Legislature in June appropriated $2 million to assess the feasibility of developing one or more low-orbit launch sites in Michigan.

“The announcement of this first important step toward Oscoda becoming the official location for a horizontal spaceport is the news we had been hoping for,” Allor said in a statement. “Oscoda’s prime location and strong community is certainly deserving of this fantastic opportunity, and I will continue working with Senator Stamas to ensure that we do what we can in Lansing to help make this plan a reality.”

The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport was among eight sites evaluated over the past eight months.

Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan said he is happy for Oscoda.

“I’m grateful a community like Oscoda could be considered. It’s a great site,” he said, noting the base has the infrastructure to support such a project.

McLennan said city officials are always looking for new economic opportunities and will continue to pursue them aggressively.

Mike Mahler, economic development director for the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, was not immediately available for comment.

Association officials announced in January they were accepting letters of interest from communities interested in hosting a command and control center for the spaceport. Those applications were due on Friday.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.