President signs order to launch new military space training institution
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday to establish the U.S. Space Academy, a new school for training space engineers, operators, and service members. A commission led by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman will submit a report within 120 days outlining key details. The president said he will select a location soon, with Senator Ted Cruz advocating for Texas.
The executive order creates a commission chaired by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, which must deliver a report within 120 days proposing key details for the institution's establishment. The White House directive describes the academy as focused on rigorous technical education combined with leadership development, discipline, and a commitment to public service.
Trump signed the order during a ceremony at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he also presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew. He noted Senator Ted Cruz is advocating for Texas as the academy's home, with a location decision expected shortly. The move follows Trump's 2019 legislation creating the U.S. Space Force as a separate military branch.
A dedicated Space Academy could reshape how the military and civilian sectors prepare personnel for space operations, potentially creating a specialized talent pipeline that may influence national security strategy for decades. Communities vying for the campus could see significant economic and workforce impacts, while the institution's curriculum and admission standards may set precedents for how space-related education is prioritized alongside traditional service academies.