Kall Morris lands $3.5M state grant for satellite-relocating spacecraft
What's the deal? Michigan has awarded Kall MorrisDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → $3.5 million to finalise development of the Laelaps spacecraft, a vehicle designed to rendezvous with, retrieve, and relocate satellites in orbit. The grant comes from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund and is expected to create 60 jobs at the company's Marquette facility.
What's the endgame? Laelaps aims to extend the life of existing satellites and cut the cost and frequency of replacements. The project also draws on $34 million from the Strategic Funding Increase program via SpaceWERXDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the innovation arm of the US Space ForceDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
Why now? The award is part of a broader $23 million state investment, announced by governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday, that leverages up to nearly $118 million in federal funding across nine Michigan projects. Together, the state says, those projects should create more than 1,000 jobs.
How big is the round? At $3.5 million, the grant sits in the upper tier of comparable funding events, ranking around the 36th percentile from the top — a solid, mid-sized award rather than a headline-grabbing raise.
Whitmer framed the state's strategy around pulling in federal matching dollars. "Every dollar we invest through the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund brings more federal money home to Michigan, helping us create good-paying jobs and lead the industries of the future," she said.
The signal: In-orbit servicing — refuelling, repairing, and repositioning satellites rather than replacing them — is emerging as a distinct commercial niche. By backing it with state and Space Force money, Michigan is positioning itself as a player in defence and aerospace manufacturing beyond its automotive base.
Read more: lakecountystar.com
Image credit: Kall Morris
