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PoliticsTrump signs executive order to establish U.S. Space Academy
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to establish the U.S. Space Academy, a new service academy dedicated to training Space Force officers, NASA personnel, and civilian space industry members. Announced at NASA's Johnson Space Center during an event honoring the Artemis II mission, the academy is modeled after existing military service academies like West Point and Annapolis. The executive order creates a commission led by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, to draft a report on curriculum, structure, and service obligations within 120 days. Trump cited the rapid growth of Space Force, which currently has about 10,000 guardians and aims to double its size, as a key reason for the new academy. A location has not yet been selected, and no timeline for opening was provided.
Source report
President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a new service academy dedicated to training Space Force officers, NASA personnel, and members of the civilian space industry.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order to establish the new academy, which he described as similar to the existing military service academies for the Army and Navy. He shared the decision while speaking at NASA's Johnson Space Center at an event honoring the members of the Artemis II mission.
Key Details
- Name: U.S. Space Academy
- Purpose: To "educate and train an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers, and civil operators," according to Trump.
- Model: Similar to West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy.
Trump, who created Space Force during his first term in 2019, said: "It's called the U.S. Space Academy. That's a big deal. So you think of West Point, and you think of Annapolis, and you think of the Air Force Academy, and you think of the Coast Guard academies. Great, they're all great. But we're going to have now the Space Force."
Academy Structure and Oversight
The executive order describes the proposed academy as a "NASA-led Federal academy dedicated to combining rigorous technical education with leadership development, discipline, and a durable commitment to public service."
The new U.S. Space Academy would train not only Space Force officers but also NASA personnel and members of the civilian space industry.
Currently, future guardians study at the Air Force Academy, similar to how guardians undergo basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, where airmen train.
Rationale and Growth
Trump cited the "rapid growth" of Space Force as a key reason for creating the new academy. Currently, approximately 10,000 guardians serve in Space Force. The top enlisted member of the service has stated that Space Force leadership aims to double that number.
Unanswered Questions
Many specifics about the new academy remain unclear:
- Location: No site has been selected, though Trump said one would be chosen "very shortly."
- Timeline: Trump did not provide a timeline for when the Space Academy would open.
Implementation
Trump's executive order establishes a new commission led by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, and including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.
The directive calls for the commission to draft and submit a report on curriculum, structure, and service obligations within 120 days of the order.
Source
Task & PurposeWestern
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Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish U.S. Space Academy