President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to begin the process of creating the first U.S. Space Academy. The move aims to strengthen America’s space workforce and prepare a new generation of skilled professionals and leaders for the country’s growing space ambitions.

Trump signed the order on Friday at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston. The visit also included a ceremony where he presented the Artemis II crew members with the Congressional Space Medal of Honour. The proposed academy will combine technical education with leadership training, discipline and a strong focus on public service.

The Executive Order describes space as a key area for U.S. national security, economic growth, scientific research and technological development. The planned academy will train students for careers across the space sector. Its focus will include developing the technical skills and leadership abilities needed to support America’s long-term interests in space.

“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 administration has linked the proposed academy to the rapid expansion of both the U.S. Space Force and the commercial space industry. The country is also increasing its focus on lunar exploration and future missions beyond the Moon. The academy is expected to help develop the workforce required to support these efforts.

The order directs NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to chair a new Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will serve as the commission’s executive director. Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Michael Kratsios and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Kevin Hassett will serve as vice chairs.

The commission will also include representatives from the White House and other government agencies. It will study how the academy should be established and operated. The commission must submit its report to the President within 120 days of the Executive Order’s signing.

The report will include recommendations on several key aspects of the proposed institution. These will include its governance structure, service obligations for graduates and the physical location of the academy. The commission will also examine legislative requirements and other steps needed to establish the academy.

Isaacman said the academy could play an important role in preparing the workforce needed for the future of the U.S. space programme. He said the institution could educate engineers, scientists, technicians, operators and astronauts who will support upcoming space missions and projects.

“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 endeavours will be educated at the United States Space Academy.”

The proposed academy comes as the Trump administration continues to place space exploration and U.S. leadership in space among its priorities. The administration has outlined plans covering lunar exploration, space transportation, commercial activity and technological development.

The latest Executive Order follows other recent actions by Trump aimed at strengthening America’s position in space. In December 2025, he signed the “Ensuring American Space Superiority” order. The administration also issued a new National Space Transportation Policy memorandum on August 20.

The creation of the U.S. Space Academy remains in its planning stage. The Presidential Commission’s report will provide recommendations on how the institution should be structured and established. Its findings will help determine the next steps for creating a national academy focused on space education, technical training and leadership.