Space Innovation Hub to Cement Michigan as National Leader in Space Economy

DETROIT, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the Michigan Space Innovation Hub, a first-of-its-kind statewide network designed to accelerate growth in Michigan's space economy. Supported by a nearly $1.2 million one-year grant from the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the new hub will be anchored at Newlab Detroit within the Michigan Central Innovation District.

"From automobiles to advanced technologies, Michigan has always built what's next for the nation," said Governor Whitmer. "Today's announcement builds on our commitment to innovation by strengthening our leadership in the growing space economy. The Space Innovation Hub brings together industry, innovators, and our world-class manufacturing base to ensure Michigan is at the forefront of the next generation of space technologies and creating the jobs of tomorrow."

The Space Innovation Hub will accelerate growth in Michigan's space economy by serving as a cohesive space ecosystem, connecting manufacturers, startups, researchers, investors, workforce partners, and federal agencies. It will provide members with access to advanced testing and manufacturing capabilities, a digital resource platform, supplier readiness and commercialization support, talent development pipelines, and collaborative workspace at the Michigan Central innovation district.

"Michigan is reimagining the Arsenal of Democracy, drawing on our legacy of industrial strength and modern capacity for innovation. This Hub is the current cornerstone of our space strategy, which is in its second year of execution," said Col. John T. Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Executive Director of ODAI at the MEDC. "In that time, as evidenced by our Michigan Space Forum, MEDC and ODAI have earned a reputation of leading Michigan with unity of effort in participating in and capturing value from this high-growth, high-value market, becoming the Arsenal of Innovation for the next generation of defense and dual-use technologies."

In addition to Newlab, Michigan Central's core partners include the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) and the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC). The Space Innovation Hub will be managed by Kevin Cronin, Michigan Central's new Executive Director of Aerospace, and will also draw on a senior advisor network that includes former SpaceX, Raytheon, NASA-affiliated, Department of Defense, and commercial space leaders, bringing deep industry expertise and national relationships to Michigan's manufacturing, research, and innovation ecosystem.

"The Space Innovation Hub is what Michigan Central was built for. Every day we are seeing more collisions between founders, academia and industry partners to build, test and deploy new mobility, advanced manufacturing and robotics technologies. Paired with Michigan's talent and industrial strength, this ecosystem will expand the state's role in shaping the future of space innovation and make the state more competitive in this growing industry," said Mark de la Vergne, Director of Network Growth at Michigan Central.

Key initiatives will include Sprint to Supply Space, designed to expand Michigan's space-qualified manufacturing capacity, as well as year-round industry programming and the annual Michigan Space Summit. Through coordinated communications and national industry engagement, the Hub will elevate Michigan as a premier center for space innovation and support long-term ecosystem growth.

"Michigan already has so much of what the space industry needs to scale: world-class manufacturing, engineering talent, advanced testing capabilities and a deep supplier base," said Colleen Hau, Managing Director at Newlab Detroit. "The Space Innovation Hub gives us a way to connect those assets, bring new companies and opportunities into the state, and help Michigan manufacturers compete for a larger share of the rapidly growing space economy. At Newlab, we're excited to help turn that potential into real products, contracts, companies and jobs being built here in Michigan."

Michigan has been at the forefront of space innovation since the 1940s. Its early involvement can be traced to the institutions, technologies, and systems that enabled early crewed space flight. The University of Michigan (U-M), General Motors, Ford, and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan all made substantial contributions in remote sensing, deep space exploration, advanced materials, and space propulsion systems. U-M played a significant role in the first spacewalks and the Apollo program, including the Apollo 15 lunar mission, whose three crew members were all U-M alumni.

"Michigan has built a robust aerospace industry that's an important driver of our state's economy, and space is a big part of that," said Aaron Johnson, president of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM). "Michigan companies are already contributing to major space programs today, and there is tremendous potential to build on that foundation. The Space Innovation Hub is an exciting opportunity to bring these strengths together and accelerate Michigan's role in the growing space economy."

Today, the aerospace industry includes more than 900 companies in Michigan employing roughly 30,000 workers, according to AIAM , contributing to a space economy that accounted for $142.5 billion of total U.S. GDP in 2023.

The Space Innovation Hub officially launches on October 28, 2026. For additional inquiries and details, please reach out to [email protected] .

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.