The space industry is a growing business in Aroostook

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Maine is becoming a prime location for the 21st-century global aerospace industry, now expanding into Aroostook County.

Aroostook is a natural addition because it is on the right alignment with the North Pole for the space industry to launch satellites and small rockets into polar orbit at low altitudes of between 124 and 621 miles into the atmosphere.

With Aroostook’s key role in the future of the state aerospace industry, Gov. Janet Mills recently appointed Scott Wardwell, Presque Isle International Airport director, as one of 11 people she chose for a 17-member board of directors for the Maine Space Corp. Wardwell represents Aroostook and Piscataquis counties.

The expansion into Aroostook is part of an overall plan to establish Maine as a center for launching rockets and small satellites called nano-satellites. Through partnerships with efforts in other parts of the state, the projects could tie into important research and education.