The order, announced Friday at the White House, creates a four‑year, federally funded institution that will operate under a joint NASA‑Department of Defense framework. Its mandate is to develop a pipeline of officers skilled in orbital mechanics, satellite engineering, cyber‑defense and space‑law, directly feeding the U.S. Space Force.
The academy will recruit high‑school graduates and offer a curriculum modeled on the service academies, emphasizing STEM, leadership and operational readiness. Funding of $2.5 billion over five years has been earmarked, with site selection slated for an existing NASA research complex pending a federal review panel.
ALSO READ | Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Duo Set for Tonight’s Launch with Leaked Color Lineup and Pricing
Lawmakers from both parties praised the move as a boost to national security, while some defense analysts warned of potential mission creep. NASA officials said the academy will accelerate talent development, and aerospace firms welcomed the prospect of a larger, highly trained workforce.
)
