Three, two, one: lift-off.

• Author: Pohl, John
• Position: Alaska's aerospace industry

Alaska Launches Into New Frontier

Is Alaska the next launch center of the world? Its geographical local makes it ripe to become a leader in the commercial aerospace industry. Kodiak and Fairbanks are already aboard this ride into space. In fact, the Air Force is slated to make a polar launch from Kodiak this September. And if experts are right, Anchorage may be impacted as well.

It is appropriate Alaska's state flag portrays a polar sky because the 49th state is on the verge of establishing itself as an international center for commercial aerospace. The state's geographical location is ideal for space travel. An Alaska-based launch complex can access many valuable polar-orbit launch azimuths, while satellite ground stations built in northern regions facilitate satellite-tracking and data-downloading.

Construction is underway on the Kodiak Launch Complex, the first commercial launch range of its kind in the U.S. Fairbanks is home to five privately developed satellite ground stations; and students in aerospace-related fields at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are seeing an increase in employment opportunities and program funding.

All in all, the pieces are coming together for the development of a formidable high-tech state industry - at the very juncture when diversification is key to Alaska's economy growth.

Kodiak prepares for launch

Alaska? The next launch center of the world?

Could be.

Nearly 1,700 satellites with a value of $121 billion are expected to be launched worldwide during the next decade. About 70 percent of those will be communication satellites with a price tag of $58 billion. Most of those provide mobile telephone service, and need polar orbits to be effective.

Because the earth turns under the satellites as they sweep through its orbit, and satellites may orbit the earth as many as 15 times a day, polar obit satellites allow greater coverage of the globe. Alaska - not industry-guru Florida - is particularly prime to provide polar launch service, as launches into low polar orbit are more efficient at high latitudes.

Enter Kodiak

Construction is underway on the Kodiak Launch Complex, the first non-federally owned or operated launch facility in the U.S. The facility, located on Kodiak Island's Narrow Cape, 40 miles southeast of Kodiak City, will launch small- to medium-sized rockets carrying satellite payloads of up to 8,000 pounds into polar orbit.

"Kodiak was chosen from a variety of sites in Alaska because of its position," said Pat Ladner, executive director for Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation (AADC). "If you launch south, you launch completely over the ocean. The site is supported logistically from the Lower 48 with barge and air traffic. And it is strategically...