Flying high: Trump orders creation of nation’s first space academy, honors Artemis II crew

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to begin creating the nation’s first U.S. Space Academy, a new military academy meant to train future leaders for the Space Force, NASA and the civilian space industry. According to the announcement by NASA, the order says the academy would combine technical education with leadership, discipline and public service to support American interests in space.

The announcement came at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where President Trump said the growth of the Space Force, commercial space and the nation’s goals beyond the moon showed the need to train “an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers, civil operators and everything else to do what we have to do,” per the press release.

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter

Commission to shape the plan

The order creates a Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as chair and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson as executive director. Michael Kratsios and Kevin Hassett will serve as vice chairs, along with other White House and interagency representatives, according to the White House and NASA.

The commission must report back to the president within 120 days, the press release confirms, with recommendations on how the academy should be run, where it should be located, what service obligations graduates should have and what laws may be needed to make it happen.

Isaacman stated in the announcement how the academy could help prepare engineers, scientists, technicians, operators and astronauts for future missions. He added that the talent would support plans that include returning NASA astronauts to the lunar surface, building a Moon Base, expanding nuclear power in space and growing the orbital economy.

Read more on Chicago Star

• New routes, new reach: American Airlines adds 7 international routes, including Chicago-Tokyo

• AI data centers are flourishing—but because of it, so are trades and blue-collar job

• Loyola University unveils touching campus tribute, a bronze statue, to the late Sister Jean

• Hemp-derived THC drinks could be out the door as local breweries face looming federal ban

• Shedd Aquarium opens new Nature Exploration Garden featuring 70 native plant species

• Chicago’s September concerts: Pitbull, Tim McGraw, Marilyn Manson, Salt-N-Pepa & TLC 

Artemis II space honors in Houston

According to the announcement, President Trump signed the order in Houston and also presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew, which flew around the moon earlier this year. Later, he became the first president to call U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station from Mission Control at the NASA center, NBC News reported.

Astronaut Jack Hathaway praised the idea about the space academy and said, per NBC News, “I graduated from the Naval Academy. I’m sure they’re more than excited to support it and have it on board.” Jessica Meir, the space station commander, added that the crew “will continue doing our best to inspire all of the bright minds and the next generation as well,” NBC News confirmed.