Key facts
- NASA seeks a permanent site of at least 300 acres for the US Space Academy.
- The academy plans to enroll its first class in temporary facilities in 2028.
- A permanent campus is targeted for completion by 2031.
- States are invited to submit bids including land, infrastructure, and funding contributions.
- A presidential commission, chaired by Jared Isaacman, will review proposals.
- Donald Trump will make the final decision on the academy's location.
NASA is moving rapidly to establish a new United States Space Academy, seeking bids from states for a permanent campus and aiming to enroll the first class in 2028. The initiative, announced by President Donald Trump, aims to prepare a new generation of leaders for the space domain, encompassing roles from scientists and engineers to astronauts and warfighters.
The agency has issued a "Request for Information" document, initiating a competition among all 50 states to host the academy. States are expected to offer attractive packages including land, infrastructure, and funding. NASA will review and rate these proposals, which will then be considered by a presidential commission appointed by Trump and chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. Ultimately, Trump will make the final decision, with a preference for Republican-leaning states anticipated.
The academy's goals include producing graduates who will primarily work for NASA, but also potentially for the US Space Force, reflecting the increasing importance of space for national security and economic interests. While tuition details are not yet public, students are expected to commit to several years of government service in return for free education. The aggressive timeline is seen as an effort to establish the academy while Republicans control both the White House and Congress, ahead of potential shifts in the midterm elections.
Some Democrats have expressed criticism, with Senator John Hickenlooper calling the plan "duplicative, costly, and unserious," potentially competing with existing institutions like the US Air Force Academy. Representatives Zoe Lofgren and George Whitesides have also raised concerns about the lack of Congressional involvement and the source of funding.