President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to begin the process of creating a U.S. Space Academy, a NASA-led federal institution designed to train future leaders for the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and the civilian spaceflight industry. The order directs administration officials to submit a proposal within 120 days outlining the academy’s structure, curriculum, and operational framework.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where Trump awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission. The crew—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist)—completed the first crewed lunar flyby since the Apollo era in April 2026, traveling 252,758 miles from Earth and covering nearly 700,000 miles during their 10-day mission aboard the Orion spacecraft Integrity.
Key details of the executive order
The executive order establishes a presidential commission tasked with developing a proposal for the academy, which Trump described as a “big deal” comparable to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point or the U.S. Air Force Academy. The academy is intended to serve as a NASA-led federal institution combining technical education with leadership development and public service. Trump emphasized that the academy would “attract, train, and graduate the very best of our nation” to support the growing ambitions of the Space Force and commercial space sector.
During the ceremony, Trump also referenced plans for a nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, stating it is expected to launch on a mission to Mars in 2028. He described the vessel as the first in a potential fleet aimed at making space travel more routine. The president did not provide additional technical details about the spacecraft or its development timeline.
Location and structure of the academy
Trump confirmed that the academy’s location has not yet been determined, though he joked that Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was lobbying for the institution to be based in Texas. “I’m going to be choosing a location very shortly,” Trump said, adding that the academy would serve both military and civilian sectors. Current Space Force officers receive undergraduate training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and it remains unclear whether the new academy would operate as a separate military service academy or a different type of educational institution.
Reactions and context
The Artemis II astronauts were recognized for their historic mission, which marked the first time humans traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Nixon administration. Trump praised the crew as “intrepid space heroes” and noted that the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, first awarded to Neil Armstrong in 1978, is a rare distinction reserved for exceptional service to the nation and humanity.
Following the ceremony, Trump spoke with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from Houston, calling them “pioneers” and offering them an invitation to the White House upon their return. The president also joked about the challenges of space travel, stating, “I wouldn’t do it. I hate to admit it. I would not want to do it. But some people love it more than anything.”
Background and implications
The U.S. Space Force, established during Trump’s first term, currently commissions officers through the Air Force Academy. The creation of a dedicated space academy reflects the administration’s push to expand U.S. leadership in space exploration, including plans for lunar and Martian missions. The executive order does not immediately establish the academy but initiates a formal study process, with a proposal due within four months.
Trump’s announcement comes amid broader efforts to accelerate U.S. space capabilities, including the development of nuclear propulsion and the expansion of commercial spaceflight partnerships. The academy’s proposed curriculum is expected to focus on engineering, leadership, and technical disciplines relevant to both military and civilian space operations.
Unanswered questions
- Funding and timeline: The executive order does not specify a budget or construction timeline for the academy.
- Civilian access: It is unclear how civilian spaceflight industry professionals would participate in the academy’s programs.
- Military role: The order does not clarify whether the academy would operate as a separate military service academy or a civilian-led institution under NASA’s oversight.
- Location selection: The process for choosing the academy’s site has not been detailed, though political figures have already signaled interest.