Voters cast ballots on controversial Georgia spaceport

A Georgia county's plan to build a launchpad for commercial rockets is going before voters in a referendum forced by opponents of the project

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A Georgia county's plan to build a rocket launch pad for sending satellites into space went before voters Tuesday in a referendum forced by opponents who fear the project poses safety and environmental risks that outweigh any economic benefits.

Camden County officials who have spent a decade and $10.3 million pursuing the spaceport didn't seem confident in the outcome. They escalated a court fight Tuesday seeking to have the election declared invalid, asking the Georgia Court of Appeals to prohibit certification of the vote until their legal challenge gets resolved.

The county obtained a license to operate Spaceport Camden on the Georgia coast from the Federal Aviation Administration a few months ago. Before county officials could close on their purchase of 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) for the project, a judge ordered that the land deal be put to a vote. Opponents had gathered more than 3,500 petition signatures calling for a special election.

Located on the Georgia-Florida line, Camden County has worked since 2012 toward building and operating the 13th licensed U.S. launch site for private rockets. Supporters say it's a chance for the county of 55,000 to join the commercial space race and also lure supporting industries and tourists.