President Trump Signs Executive Order to Create US Space Academy

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday to establish the nation’s first U.S. Space Academy, aimed at strengthening the space workforce and developing future space leaders across national security, economic growth, scientific discovery, and technological innovation. The academy would focus on technical education combined with leadership development, discipline, and commitment to public service.

The order establishes a Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, with NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson as executive director and vice chairs including Michael Kratsios and Kevin Hassett. The commission will provide recommendations within 120 days on governance framework, service obligations for graduates, physical location, and legislative requirements.

President Trump stated the need to 'educate and train an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers, and civil operators' given the growth of the U.S. Space Force, commercial space industry, and ambitions beyond the Moon. Isaacman called the academy a 'transformational step' to educate future engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, and astronauts for upcoming missions including lunar return, Moon Base, nuclear power, and the orbital economy. The signing took place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where the President also presented the Artemis II crew with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and follows other recent space-related executive orders.