Beyond the 806
Trump signs executive order to create a U.S. Space Academy - CBS News
President Trump signed an executive order Friday to establish a U.S.
Trump made the announcement at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston while presenting the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He drew a direct comparison to the existing service academies, framing the Space Academy as the next logical step now that the Space Force exists as a branch of the military.
The order kicks off a process, not an opening date. No location, cost, or timeline was included, so what this looks like on the ground is still an open question.
For Lubbock, this is worth watching. Texas Tech's aerospace engineering program and its ties to the defense and aviation sectors mean any federal investment in space education could eventually ripple into recruitment pipelines, research partnerships, or student interest here. West Texas already feeds a disproportionate number of students into military service academies each year.
The Space Force was established in 2019, making it the youngest branch of the U.S. Military. It has operated for six years without a dedicated academy of its own.
Common questions
What is the U.S. Space Academy Trump just signed into law?
- It's a new federal institution modeled after West Point and the Naval Academy, meant to serve the Space Force, NASA, and the civilian spaceflight industry. Trump signed the executive order at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. No location, cost, or opening timeline has been set yet.
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