Three, two, one ... blast off! Alaska's aerospace industry is under way.

• Author: Coppola, Doreen R.
• Position: Alaska Aerospace Development Corp. - Cover Story

Who would have thought that Alaska, being so remote and isolated from the rest of the United States, would be on the leading edge of technology in an industry that is--quite literally--out of this world? It's the location of Alaska that makes it an ideal spot for blasting rockets into outer space for testing, research and development. Its location is a simple principal based on an extraordinary phenomenon: The further north you go, the easier it is to reach polar orbit.

These reasons are why the Alaska Aerospace Development Corp. came into being. The organization owns and operates the Kodiak Launch Complex--the only non-federally owned commercial launch facility in the nation--and helps serve the commercial and military aerospace industries. Its mission is to provide space-launch services, to foster new space--related industries in Alaska, and to stimulate interest in space careers and technology in Alaska's young people. In recent years, the organization has brought forth a significant amount of jobs, materials and services, tourism and hospitality, and construction to the Kodiak and Alaska economy.

WHY ALASKA?

According to Pat Ladner, president and CEO of Alaska Aerospace Development Corp., the location in Alaska provides benefits to the satellite launch and commercial space industry that cannot be found elsewhere. "Based on the location, it provides a very effective venue for commercial customers," explains Ladner. "Take, for instance, a telecommunications company--they can launch a satellite from our facility and put it into such a position in orbit that they can receive data more frequently from their satellite than they could if they were located closer to the equator.

"The actual location of Kodiak faces a huge, broad ocean area that is much, much safer to launch out over than a densely populated area," adds Ladner. "When a rocket is launched near a densely populated area, usually the rocket must do a 'dog leg' to get to the safest location before it goes on its projected flight path, which burns up a huge amount of energy." Another reason Ladner feels Kodiak is safer is due to orbital reasons. "The further north you go, the easier it is to insert satellites into a polar orbit."

Because the Alaska Aerospace Development Corp. is a commercial facility, its customers vary. Currently, the company is in the midst of a five-year contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for integrated flight tests. These types of tests integrate two...