MTEC SmartZone’s Post

In Michigan, even the sky isn’t the limit. For Lyon (Brad) King, the path to becoming a rocket scientist always led back home to Michigan. Born and raised in Calumet in the Upper Peninsula, King pursued his love of aerospace at the University of Michigan, earning multiple degrees in rocket science. Despite career opportunities that took him to Colorado and beyond, his heart remained in Michigan. Determined to live where he loved, King created his dream job, founding Orbion Space Technology in 2016 and building advanced satellite propulsion systems that are revolutionizing the space industry. Orbion thrusters now guide satellites for Earth observation, communication, and more, all manufactured in Houghton. With support from organizations like the MEDC and MTEC SmartZone, King tapped into Michigan’s unparalleled entrepreneurial ecosystem. “Michigan is set up to do mass production of vehicles, even ones that fly in space,” he says, crediting the state’s manufacturing expertise, research universities, and venture capital for Orbion’s success. For King, the answer is clear: Michigan offers the perfect mix of opportunity, resources, and quality of life to make even the biggest dreams—like building a rocket company—a reality.