Keweenaw Rocket Range

At the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, where Michigan juts into Lake Superior, sits a quiet secret of history. Between 1964 and 1971 NASA had launched missiles from this remote spot. Join us as we investigate this curious site.

Chuck and I had rumbled down a dirt roadway for over an hour winding through the 29 mile dirt trek. Suddenly the woods opened revealing a baby blue sky and warm sunshine over Lake Superior which had “waved” its greeting as we neared the shore.

*The road suddenly ended in a turn-around loop, I giggled at the “STOP” sign nearly hidden among branches.*

“There’s suppose to be a plaque.” Chuck had parked the Jeep off the two track path, hoping to not disturb the three tents we saw in the distance. If a camper spoke to their friend, it was only in a hushed tone. It felt like the whole area was holding it’s breath, waiting to exhale. Stillness. We continued to walk around the area, searching for the rocket launch site.

Lake Superior had lapped softly against the rocky shore. Shadows of pine trees had reached into the refreshing water as if the trees had been playing tag with the fish who swam peacefully beneath the surface.

“It’s over here.” Chuck called quietly. I crossed the dirt path to find a stone monument sitting on a flattened area of the ground. We’d located the hidden rocket launch site!

Why Would Michigan Have A Rocket Launch Site?

This rocket site’s purpose had been to collect weather data and electron movement in our atmosphere. Later, Michigan’s first rocket to reach outer space had been launched from this pad. Other sites in the upper peninsula had served in the defense of our nation.

*Used from 1964-1971 Nike Apache rockets and Arca rockets had been sent into our atmosphere.*
*Then on January 29, 1971 Michigan’s the first outer space rocket*
*had been successful launched from this location!*

NASA had used this site for launching Nike Apache rockets and Arcas. These rockets had collected data about solar X-rays from the sun’s corona, electron density, energetic electron precipitation as well as other weather measurements. These pieces of information had shown us how electrons deposit their energy into our atmosphere.

There had been an entire network of Meteorological Rockets with stations all over the country. This project had started collecting data in preparation for the mission to the moon which took place in July of 1969.

Why Had This Launch Site Been Chosen?

NASA had wanted data to be collected from a midpoint in North America. The project supervisor, Harold Allen, had stated that using the Lake Superior shoreline in Michigan’s upper peninsula had been suggested as early as 1962. Moving forward, The Michigan Department of Economic Expansion had funded a $52,850.00 grant. Then the Goodman Lumber Division of Calumet and Hecla, Inc. had donated the 203 acres of land at the tip of the Keweenaw peninsula to the University of Michigan for the sole purpose of this project.

*Photo Credit: MLive article – University of Michigan Archives*

What’s The Launch Site Like Today?

Abandoned since 1971, this secretive site is now only seen by a few people who have ventured to the tip of the Keweenaw peninsula. The views are exquisite. We set up our picnic lunch and pondered the hidden history of this area. Chuck tuned his guitar and sang to the mighty, fresh water lake. Clad in my bug shirt, I joined him along the shore.