Florida makes case to host new US Space Academy
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —
A new school will be focused entirely on our future in space. The goal will be to train the next generation of workers for NASA, the Space Force and the space industry in general.
President Donald Trump recently proposed a new United States Space Academy, modeled after the military academies. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman chaired the first commission on the academy and is now asking governors to pitch their states as hosts.
Florida lawmakers, including Congressman Mike Haridopolos, are already making their case.
“Texas, Alabama, Mississippi have major posts, so they’re all gonna be vying for this incredible opportunity to build a new service academy,” Haridopolos said. “We like our chances in Florida. After all, this is where the rockets actually take off.”
Here on the Space Coast, we already have a number of job opportunities at Kennedy Space Center, in the Space Force and with commercial launch partners. The academy basing itself in Florida could provide an additional pipeline for the next generation of aerospace workers.
“We’re seeing really a big change in the space industry,” Haridopolos said. “Many years ago, we had just NASA. Now that we have the private sector heavily involved, we’re working locally with our school boards, let alone UCF, Florida Tech and, of course, Florida State College as well, to get the workers of tomorrow.”
Brevard County high schools are even giving students hands-on experience through an astronautics and flight exploration program.
Haridopolos said they’ll be presenting all of this in their push to bring the Space Academy to the Space Coast.
“To the credit of states like Texas, they’re putting a lot of money on the table to make this happen,” Haridopolos said. “We’re offering the same type of plans. But in the end, where’s everybody moving? They’re moving to Florida.”