President creates commission to design U.S. Space Academy

The President issued Executive Order 14423 on August 28, 2026, establishing the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy. The commission is tasked with advising the President on proposals to create a NASA-led federal academy that would combine technical education with leadership development for astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warfighters.

The commission's composition is set by the order: the NASA Administrator serves as Chair; the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy serve as Vice Chairs; the Deputy Administrator of NASA is Executive Director. Additional members include the Secretary of War; the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; the Secretary of the Air Force; and other full-time or permanent part-time federal employees invited by the Chair.

Within 120 days of the order, the commission must submit a report through the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. The report must address a governance framework, academic and leadership curriculum, service obligations for graduates, applicant prerequisites, site selection, administrative and legislative actions, coordination with existing programs, and an implementation strategy with timelines.

The order states that, after presidential approval and any necessary legislative action, the NASA Administrator, in coordination with relevant agency heads, will implement the commission's recommendations consistent with applicable law and available appropriations. The order affirms that it does not impair agency authority, is subject to appropriations, creates no enforceable rights, and that publication costs are borne by NASA.