ORLANDO, Fla. — The countdown is underway to determine the permanent home of the newly announced U.S. Space Academy, and Florida leaders are actively campaigning for the federal institution to be located within state borders. A bipartisan letter from the state’s congressional delegation argues that Florida possesses a unique ecosystem capable of supporting the training of future astronauts, scientists, and engineers.
Executive Order Establishes New Federal Service Academy
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 28 directing the creation of this new federal service academy. The institution is modeled after established military academies such as the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., and the U.S. Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colo. According to the order, the primary goal of the academy is to educate individuals capable of advancing American interests in space.
The executive directive calls for a presidential commission, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, to provide recommendations within 120 days. These recommendations will cover the physical location of the academy, its governance framework, service obligations for graduates, and necessary legislative requirements.
Florida Delegation Highlights Aerospace Infrastructure
In response to the announcement, Florida stakeholders have intensified efforts to secure the academy's headquarters in Orlando or another local site. The state’s congressional delegation submitted an official letter to President Trump and Administrator Isaacman outlining their case for selection. The correspondence emphasizes that Florida offers a climate conducive to rigorous academic study while providing direct access to research through state universities, more context in Byron Donalds Pledges NASA HQ Move and Aerospace Expansion.
The delegation highlights the presence of NASA, the United States Space Force, and the Department of Defense as critical assets. Furthermore, they point to an "expansive and increasingly interconnected space ecosystem" that includes launch providers, spacecraft manufacturers, satellite companies, defense contractors, and emerging technology firms. The letter asserts that these private sector capabilities align directly with the mission outlined in the executive order.
Academic Consortiums and Military Bases
Beyond immediate operational access, Florida officials are leveraging academic partnerships to strengthen their pitch. The delegation touted the newly formed Florida University Space Research Consortium, which unites the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Florida Tech. This consortium manages space-related research and education, providing a foundation for national collaboration, a story we covered in Byron Donalds Pledges NASA HQ Move and Aerospace Expansion.
The letter also identifies specific geographic hubs across the state as beneficial partners. These include operations at Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall Air Force Base in the Panhandle, Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, and Homestead Air Reserve Base in South Florida. The delegation argues that establishing the academy in Florida would connect students nationwide with institutions shaping America's future in space, as noted by The Hill.
Bipartisan Support and Local Advocacy
The letter advocating for the academy was signed by Republican U.S. Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, 19 of the state’s 20 Republican U.S. Representatives, and four of seven Democratic U.S. Representatives. Notably, two Central Florida congress members did not sign: Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, who lost his party primary, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost.
<Earlier in the week, Brevart County’s Economic Development Council also advocated for the Space Coast as the ideal location. In a letter to Isaacman, EDC President & CEO Lynda Weatherman stated that few regions have played a more significant role in America's journey of exploration and innovation. She argued that the region's extraordinary capabilities create an environment unlike any other in the nation.
