Trump signs order creating NASA-led US Space Academy commission

September 1, 2026 at 12:11 AM2 min

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 28, 2026, establishing a presidential commission to design a NASA-led United States Space Academy. The commission, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, has 120 days to deliver a plan for the proposed institution. The academy aims to train astronauts, engineers, scientists, and military personnel for the expanding US space sector.

Key Facts

Trump signed the executive order on August 28, 2026, giving the commission 120 days to develop a detailed plan.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will chair the commission, with Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson as executive director.
The commission includes the Secretary of War, Secretary of the Air Force, White House Chief of Staff, National Security Adviser, and OMB director.
The Space Force had a 25% personnel shortfall in fiscal year 2025, with 13,509 personnel assigned against 18,002 positions.
NASA announced $10.5 million in awards for its Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative days before the executive order.

Commission Structure and Mandate

The commission will consider the academy's structure, degree offerings, accreditation, and whether graduates should be required to serve in the military or federal government. It will also recommend admissions requirements, which could include US citizenship, security clearances, and military or government employment status. The commission must evaluate whether the institution should operate within NASA and develop a process for selecting a permanent campus. The commission's report is due by the end of 2026, after which Trump would have to approve the plan and some elements could require congressional legislation and funding.

Workforce Shortage Context

The GAO reported that the Space Force had a 25% personnel shortfall in fiscal year 2025, with just 13,509 personnel assigned against 18,002 military and civilian positions. Days before the executive order, NASA announced $10.5 million in awards through its Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative. NASA noted that the need for talent is already urgent and will only continue to grow. The academy is intended to address growing demand for specialized workers across the US space industry and government.

Broader Space Policy Push

Trump announced the initiative during an event at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. An executive order signed in December 2025 calls for astronauts to return to the Moon by 2028 and for initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost to be established by 2030. Trump signed a National Space Transportation Policy on August 20, 2026, calling for the US to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries annually by 2030.