Less than two weeks after an executive order was signed to create the first United States Space Academy, NASA-led work is in full swing to make the academy a reality and shape the future of America’s aerospace workforce and leadership.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman chaired the first presidential commission on the United States Space Academy meeting on 9 September. Following that meeting, NASA published a Request for Information on Thursday seeking input from governors or their designees interested in hosting and sponsoring the up-and-coming academy in their state.
“Our first Commission meeting made clear how much talent and commitment we have behind President Trump’s vision for the U.S. Space Academy,” Isaacman said.
“I’m grateful to our partners across government for getting right to work. Now, with the RFI underway, states across the country have an opportunity to help us shape a legacy institution built for America’s future in space.”
Isaacman and deputy administrator Matt Anderson welcomed key commission members from multiple agencies and organisations to NASA headquarters in Washington for a collaborative commission discussion.
Participants included US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, Secretary of the United States Air Force Troy Meink, and US chief technology officer Ethan Klein, representing director of Office and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios, along with representatives from the US Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, and the White House.
During the meeting, commission members began working through the structure and priorities of the proposed US Space Academy, including its governance, curriculum, service commitments, partnerships, and implementation.
“The location of the U.S. Space Academy is foundational to its success,” Anderson said.
“We’re asking states to bring their strongest vision – the infrastructure, the partnerships, and the community that can compete with the elite options this calibre of student will have and match the boundless ambition of our future space leaders.”
The commission’s 120-day mandate to develop recommendations for President Donald Trump on how to establish the academy and build the technical talent and leadership pipeline needed to support America’s long-term goals in space began when the President signed the executive order on 28 August.
Responses to the RFI will help inform the commission’s path forward to selecting a location for the institution and are due by 6pm EDT on Monday, 26 October. An ambitious timeline is outlined in the request, calling for a groundbreaking no later than 2027, temporarily hosting the first 300 students in 2028, and a permanent location in operation by 2031.
Each state is allowed one submission to the announcement via its governor’s designee. In addition to details about resources available to support the academy, input sought on the potential campus includes location information, site readiness, environmental and regulatory considerations, proximity, and supporting ecosystems.
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