Campus News / Events

(Kincheloe, MI) – On Friday, December 1, the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation hosted an open house for the Mission Operations Center (MOC) in Kincheloe, MI.

The event provided an insightful presentation, highlighting the cutting-edge work and educational opportunities available for Lake Superior State University (LSSU) students at the MOC.

The open house featured esteemed guests, including State Senators Ed McBroom and John Damoose. The event brought together key stakeholders and contributors to the space exploration and operations initiative in northern Michigan, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between Lake Superior State University and the broader community.

Among the notable speakers were Dr. Brandon “BT” Cesul of KBR, Inc., a consultant with LSSU on the creation of the Space Missions and Operations Certificate. Dr. Cesul, in collaboration
with three LSSU faculty members, played a crucial role in shaping the educational programs, including the courses SPAC 310 Introduction to Space Systems and SPACE 410 Space Operations Fundamentals, contributing to the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in space-related education.

Stanley Kennedy Jr., consultant on the infrastructure at the Homestead Mission Operations Center, provided valuable insights into the center’s operational framework and future goals. From its inception, the MOC embodied Kennedy’s visionary ideals. His philanthropy has played a pivotal role in acquiring the equipment essential to the MOC’s operations.

The event also featured Dr. Kimberly Muller, LSSU Interim Provost and faculty members, including Dr. Edoardo Sarda, Assistant Professor of Engineering, Dr. Christopher Smith, Associate Professor of Computer Science. “It has been very nice to see how this program has come together,” stated Dr. Muller. “The community and the industry saw a need and worked with LSSU to ensure the program aligned with industry standards and had the resources it needed to be successful. We are very grateful to the CCEDC, Dr. Cesul, Mr. Kennedy, and all of our partners for helping us sculpt a program that has benefited our students and community.”

Highlighting the hands-on experiences that LSSU students in the Space Operations Certificate program receive at the MOC, attendees had the privilege of hearing from Dustin Mangone and Bethany Roberts, students in the initial cohort of the LSSU certificate. Their firsthand accounts underscored the program’s impact on shaping the next generation of space professionals.

Senator Damoose was instrumental in obtaining a $250,000 Michigan nhancement grant to stand up the certificate program. “What I love most about LSSU is how the school is able to combine academics with real world, hands-on experiences,” said John Damoose, Michigan State Senator.

“I was so excited to meet Bethany and Dustin – two students who are part of this innovative LSSU Space Certificate Program, and saw firsthand the environment in which they are working on simulations of actual space command and control centers. The whole program gives me great hope for our region and the potential for becoming one of the nation’s preeminent locations for new space industries,” Damoose added.

Dakota Baker, Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator John Damoose and LSSU Political Science alumnus, was also present, reinforcing the strong ties between the university and influential figures supporting the space initiative.

The event was a testament to the collaborative spirit driving the Mission Operations Center’s success, with Lake Superior State University at the forefront of space education and exploration in northern Michigan.