Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

Here's the text of President Trump's executive order, signed today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-...e-academy/

Quote:By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Space is a critical domain for American national security, economic growth, scientific discovery, and technological innovation. American superiority in space depends on the strength, skill, and character of those who explore, secure, and build the industries critical to it. To continue to lead the world in space exploration and technology, while securing and defending our national interests in space, the Nation must prepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warfighters and ensure that they are capable of advancing American interests in space. Achieving this goal requires us to recruit, train, and retain America’s best and brightest from across the Nation.

Therefore, it is my Administration’s policy to strengthen the Nation’s space workforce by expanding opportunities to educate and develop the next generation of leaders across the space domain.

Sec. 2. Establishment and Composition of the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy. (a) There is hereby established the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy (Commission). The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall serve as Chair of the Commission. The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST) and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (APEP) shall serve as Vice Chairs of the Commission. The Deputy Administrator of NASA shall serve as Executive Director.

(b) In addition to the Chair, Vice Chairs, and Executive Director, the Commission shall include the following officials or their designees:

(i) the Secretary of War;

(ii) the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff;

(iii) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

(iv) the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs;

(v) the Secretary of the Air Force; and

(vi) other full-time or permanent part-time employees of the Federal Government invited to join the Commission, at the discretion of the Chair, in consultation with the Vice Chairs.

Sec. 3. Duties. (a) The Commission shall advise and assist the President regarding proposals to establish the United States Space Academy (Space Academy), a proposed NASA-led Federal academy dedicated to combining rigorous technical education with leadership development, discipline, and a durable commitment to public service. The Space Academy will develop a professional corps of civically grounded leaders prepared to advance American interests within the space domain.

(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Commission shall submit to the President through the APST and the APEP a report proposing key details for the establishment of the Space Academy. The report shall include recommendations regarding:

(i) a governance framework for the Space Academy, including the appropriate organizational structure, authorities, accreditations, and relationships among relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies). Among the frameworks considered, the Commission shall evaluate the option of establishing the Space Academy within NASA, including actions necessary to implement such a structure;

(ii) an academic and leadership curriculum, including recommendations for degree programs, experiential training, and development programs;

(iii) service obligations for graduates, including service in the Armed Forces and civilian Federal service and the conditions under which such obligations should be fulfilled;

(iv) prerequisites for applicants, including citizenship status, security clearances, and government employment or military status;

(v) the process for selection of the permanent physical location of the Space Academy appropriate for the chosen governance framework;

(vi) administrative actions that may be taken under existing legal authorities to advance the objectives of establishing a Space Academy, including opportunities for pilot programs, partnerships, and other preparatory initiatives;

(vii) legislative actions necessary to implement the Commission’s recommendations;

(viii) coordination with existing Federal education programs, partnerships, and agreements; and

(ix) an implementation strategy for the establishment of the Space Academy, including timelines, sequencing of administrative and legislative actions, and opportunities to use existing Federal authorities and programs.

© The Chair may establish working groups composed of representatives from agencies, as necessary to support the Commission. Such working groups may consult with experts from academia and industry, and with other stakeholders, as necessary to support the work of the Commission. Any such working groups shall report directly to the Commission, and the Commission shall deliberate on any working-group recommendations before it may adopt them.

(d) Following approval by the President, and any necessary legislative action, the Administrator of NASA shall, in coordination with the heads of relevant agencies, implement the approved recommendations of the Commission, consistent with applicable law and available fiscal resources.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

© This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

August 28, 2026.

NASA says:

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/presid...e-academy/

Quote:To strengthen the nation’s space workforce and develop the next generation of space leaders, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday to establish the nation’s first U.S. Space Academy...

“Given the rapid growth of the U.S. Space Force and commercial space industry, and the expansion of our ambitions to the Moon and far beyond the Moon, it’s clear we will need to educate and train an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers, and civil operators,” said President Trump. “That’s why I will sign an Executive Order to begin the process of creating a new a national academy called the U.S. Space Academy.”

The order also calls on NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to serve as the chair of a new Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson to serve as the executive director. They will work with vice chairs — Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Michael Kratsios, and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Kevin Hassett — and other representatives from the White House and the interagency on the commission.

“President Trump’s vision for a new academy is a transformational step to educate the engineers, scientists, technicians, operators and even the astronauts who will be necessary for the inspiring future we are pursuing in space. In the years ahead, we will return NASA astronauts to the lunar surface, build the Moon Base, get underway on nuclear power, ignite the orbital economy and launch more missions of science and discovery,” said Isaacman. “I have no doubt that so much of the future talent that will graduate and contribute to these exciting endeavors will be educated at the United States Space Academy.”

A report from the commission to the President is due within 120 days of the signing with recommendations on governance framework, service obligations for graduates, physical location of the academy, legislative requirements, and more.

The signing of “Establishing the United States Space Academy Executive Order,” took place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston where the President also presented the Artemis II crew members with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

The Executive Order is the latest from President Trump that demonstrates his commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in space and advancing NASA’s Golden Age exploration and innovation. In December 2025, he signed the Ensuring American Space Superiority, and recently, a new National Space Transportation Policy memorandum on Aug. 20.

Read the full Executive Order on The White House website:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-...ce-academy

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-...ce-academy

And this is for MR:

No Holly Hunter to curl up barefoot in the captain's chair. Kurtzman and company are probably wailing, but they forced reality to take over after that major "annoy the fans" fail on Paramount.

I was wondering how the United States Space Academy would work if it is operated by NASA and if it produces both military officers for the US Space Force and civilian university graduates for NASA and the space industry (SpaceX, Blue Origin and many others). How will the military academy and civilian university functions be distinguished?

And it was pointed to me out that a model already exists, the six Senior Military Colleges: Norwich U. in VT, Texas A&M in TX, The Citadel in SC, U. of North Georgia in GA, Virginia Military Institute in VA and Virginia Tech. U. in VA. These universities all maintain a Corps of Cadets alongside regular civilian students. The Cadets wear uniforms, live under military discipline, and train to receive military officer commissions upon graduation. Unlike conventional university ROTC programs, graduates of the SMC's are eligible to receive active duty as opposed to reserve commissions, like graduates of the military academies (West Point, Annapolis and the USAFA). All while the civilian students alongside them live more typical college student lives.

So it is entirely possible to embed a Space Force Academy inside a larger civilian space themed university run by NASA (a civilian agency).

https://vtcc.vt.edu/index.html