Spaceport in Kiruna, Sweden. Why not in the Mich. U.P.?

Virgin Galactic announced last month that it will build it's European spaceport in the town of Kiruna, Sweden. One of the reasons for putting the multi-million dollar facility there? The amazing northern lights. That and the fact that they already have a fully functional space center and a well-oiled tourism marketing machine.

Here's a picture of Kiruna that WIRED published on it's Autopia blog...


Sure looks like it could be outside Copper Harbor. Come to think of it, didn't Copper Harbor already have a rocket range not so long ago?