President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order creating the framework for the nation’s first National Space Academy, an initiative designed to strengthen the U.S. space workforce and prepare the next generation of space leaders.
The National Space Academy executive order highlights the critical role of space in U.S. national security, economic growth, scientific research, and technological innovation. The proposed academy would emphasize leadership, discipline, technical education, and public service while helping advance America’s long-term interests in space.
“Given the rapid growth of the U.S. Space Force and the commercial space industry, and our expanding ambitions to the moon and beyond, it is clear that we need to educate and train an entire generation of skilled military personnel, engineers, and civilian operators,” President Trump said. “That’s why I’m signing an executive order to begin the process of establishing a new national academy to be called the National Space Academy.”
Under the executive order, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will chair a new President’s Commission on the National Space Academy. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will serve as executive director. The commission will also work with Vice Chairs Michael Krasios, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Kevin Hassett, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, along with White House officials and representatives from participating federal agencies.
“President Trump’s vision for the new academy is a transformative step toward educating the engineers, scientists, technicians, operators, and even astronauts we need for the exciting future we pursue in space,” Isaacman said. “In the coming years, we will return NASA astronauts to the moon, build a lunar base, launch nuclear power, revitalize the orbital economy, and conduct additional missions of science and discovery. I have no doubt that many of the future talents who will contribute to these efforts will be educated at the National Space Academy.”
The commission is expected to submit a report to the chancellor within 120 days of the executive order’s signing. The report will include recommendations on the academy’s governance structure, alumni service obligations, potential location, legal requirements, and other issues related to establishing the National Space Academy.
The National Space Academy executive order was signed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. During the event, President Trump also presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew.
The executive order is the latest action highlighting President Trump’s commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in space and advancing NASA’s new era of exploration and innovation. In December 2025, he signed Securing America’s Space Advantage, followed by a new national space transportation policy memorandum on August 20, 2026.
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Bethany Stevens / Cheryl Warner
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Source: www.nasa.gov