President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to establish a new US space academy during a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The planned institution will support the United States Space Force, NASA, and the civilian space industry. Trump said the academy would help train a new generation of professionals for America’s expanding role in space.
Trump Compares Space Academy to West Point and Annapolis
Trump compared the proposed space academy to well-known US military institutions such as West Point and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
According to the president, the new academy will aim to “attract, train and graduate the very best of our nation.”
Trump signed the executive order alongside NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
During the visit, the president also honored the Artemis II crew following its mission around the moon earlier this year.
Location of New US Space Academy Still Undecided
The White House has not yet announced where the new space academy will be built.
However, Trump said that Texas Senator Ted Cruz has pushed for the institution to be located in Texas.
Houston already plays a major role in the US space program because Johnson Space Center serves as one of NASA’s most important facilities.
Trump Highlights Future Mars Mission
Trump also discussed plans for a 2028 Mars mission during his remarks.
The mission is expected to involve a nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft as the United States expands its long-term exploration goals beyond the moon.
Space policy has remained an important part of Trump’s agenda. During his first presidential term, he created the US Space Force as a separate branch of the military.
Visit Comes Ahead of Midterm Elections
Trump arrived in Houston on Thursday to attend a Republican fundraiser.
The visit comes as the Republican Party prepares for the upcoming November midterm elections, while the administration continues to promote its military and space policy priorities.
