United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the country’s first Space Academy during an event at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas on August 28, 2026. The president stated that graduates of the new academy would serve the US Space Force, NASA, and the civilian flight industry.
Trump described the training facility as significant and comparable to other prestigious US service institutions, such as the US Naval Academy and the US Military Academy. He stated, "I will sign an executive order to begin the process of creating a new national academy. It’s called the US Space Academy."
The executive order also establishes a new presidential commission to advise and assist in the academy's creation, led by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, and Russ Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Trump emphasized that the academy would attract, train, and graduate the best individuals in the nation. Space initiatives have been a priority during Trump's presidency, including the establishment of the Space Force in December 2019.
At the ceremony, Trump awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the four members of the Artemis II crew: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The medal is the highest civilian honor in the US for achievements in space flight.
The Artemis II mission, which took place in April, marked a significant step in the administration's plan to return astronauts to the moon by 2028. However, the future of the Artemis exploration initiative remains uncertain, with NASA announcing changes to the Artemis III mission, which will now focus on safety drills in Earth’s orbit rather than a return to the moon.
In June, NASA announced new crew members for the Artemis III mission, scheduled for next year.