United States Space Academy starts to become a reality, with states invited to apply to host the institution

The move follows an Executive Order signed by President Trump three weeks ago to create the Academy

Moves to make United States Space Academy a reality have begun with a Request for Information from individual states

Less than three weeks after an Executive Order was signed to create the first United States Space Academy, NASA-led work has begun 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 last week, after which NASA published a Request for Information (RFI) 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.”

Participants at the inaugural meeting included U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, Secretary of the United States Air Force Troy Meink, and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Ethan Klein, representing Director of Office and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios, along with representatives from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, and the White House.

Structure and priorities

During the meeting, commission members began working through the structure and priorities of the proposed U.S. Space Academy, including its governance, curriculum, service commitments, partnerships, and implementation.

“The location of the U.S. Space Academy is foundational to its success,” said Matt Anderson, NASA deputy administrator.

“We’re asking states to bring their strongest vision — the infrastructure, the partnerships, and the community that can compete with the elite options this caliber 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 Trump on how to establish the academy, and build the technical talent and leadership pipeline needed to support America’s long-term goals in spac,e began with the signing of the executive order at the end of August.

Responses to the RFI will help inform the commission’s path forward to selecting a location for the institution and are due by 6 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 26. 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.