← Executive Watch · Executive Order 14423
Establishing the United States Space Academy
Signed 2026-08-28 by Donald TrumpPublished 2026-09-03
What it does
The order establishes the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, chaired by the NASA Administrator with the APST and APEP as Vice Chairs, the NASA Deputy Administrator as Executive Director, and members including the Secretary of War, White House Chief of Staff, OMB Director, APNSA, and Secretary of the Air Force. Within 120 days the Commission must report recommendations on governance structure, academic curriculum, graduate service obligations, applicant prerequisites, location, administrative and legislative actions, coordination with existing programs, and an implementation timeline. Working groups may be formed; after presidential approval and any required legislation, the NASA Administrator implements approved recommendations in coordination with other agencies.
Full text — official record
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56737-56739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18141]
[[Page 56735]]
Vol. 91
Thursday,
No. 170
September 3, 2026
Part II
The President
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Executive Order 14423--Establishing the United States Space Academy
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 91 , No. 170 / Thursday, September 3, 2026 /
Presidential Documents
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Title 3--
The President
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Executive Order 14423 of August 28, 2026
Establishing the United States Space Academy
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Space is a critical
domain for American national security, economic growth,
scientific discovery, and technological innovation.
American superiority in space depends on the strength,
skill, and character of those who explore, secure, and
build the industries critical to it. To continue to
lead the world in space exploration and technology,
while securing and defending our national interests in
space, the Nation must prepare the next generation of
astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators,
entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warfighters and
ensure that they are capable of advancing American
interests in space. Achieving this goal requires us to
recruit, train, and retain America's best and brightest
from across the Nation.
Therefore, it is my Administration's policy to
strengthen the Nation's space workforce by expanding
opportunities to educate and develop the next
generation of leaders across the space domain.
Sec. 2. Establishment and Composition of the
Presidential Commission on the United States Space
Academy. (a) There is hereby established the
Presidential Commission on the United States Space
Academy (Commission). The Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall serve
as Chair of the Commission. The Assistant to the
President for Science and Technology (APST) and the
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (APEP)
shall serve as Vice Chairs of the Commission. The
Deputy Administrator of NASA shall serve as Executive
Director.
(b) In addition to the Chair, Vice Chairs, and
Executive Director, the Commission shall include the
following officials or their designees:
(i) the Secretary of War;
(ii) the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff;
(iii) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(iv) the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs;
(v) the Secretary of the Air Force; and
(vi) other full-time or permanent part-time employees of the Federal
Government invited to join the Commission, at the discretion of the Chair,
in consultation with the Vice Chairs.
Sec. 3. Duties. (a) The Commission shall advise and
assist the President regarding proposals to establish
the United States Space Academy (Space Academy), a
proposed NASA-led Federal academy dedicated to
combining rigorous technical education with leadership
development, discipline, and a durable commitment to
public service. The Space Academy will develop a
professional corps of civically grounded leaders
prepared to advance American interests within the space
domain.
(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the
Commission shall submit to the President through the
APST and the APEP a report proposing key details for
the establishment of the Space Academy. The report
shall include recommendations regarding:
(i) a governance framework for the Space Academy, including the appropriate
organizational structure, authorities, accreditations, and relationships
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among relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies). Among the
frameworks considered, the Commission shall evaluate the option of
establishing the Space Academy within NASA, including actions necessary to
implement such a structure;
(ii) an academic and leadership curriculum, including recommendations for
degree programs, experiential training, and development programs;
(iii) service obligations for graduates, including service in the Armed
Forces and civilian Federal service and the conditions under which such
obligations should be fulfilled;
(iv) prerequisites for applicants, including citizenship status, security
clearances, and government employment or military status;
(v) the process for selection of the permanent physical location of the
Space Academy appropriate for the chosen governance framework;
(vi) administrative actions that may be taken under existing legal
authorities to advance the objectives of establishing a Space Academy,
including opportunities for pilot programs, partnerships, and other
preparatory initiatives;
(vii) legislative actions necessary to implement the Commission's
recommendations;
(viii) coordination with existing Federal education programs, partnerships,
and agreements; and
(ix) an implementation strategy for the establishment of the Space Academy,
including timelines, sequencing of administrative and legislative actions,
and opportunities to use existing Federal authorities and programs.
(c) The Chair may establish working groups composed
of representatives from agencies, as necessary to
support the Commission. Such working groups may consult
with experts from academia and industry, and with other
stakeholders, as necessary to support the work of the
Commission. Any such working groups shall report
directly to the Commission, and the Commission shall
deliberate on any working-group recommendations before
it may adopt them.
(d) Following approval by the President, and any
necessary legislative action, the Administrator of NASA
shall, in coordination with the heads of relevant
agencies, implement the approved recommendations of the
Commission, consistent with applicable law and
available fiscal resources.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
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(d) The costs for publication of this order shall
be borne by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 28, 2026.
[FR Doc. 2026-18141
Filed 9-2-26; 11:15 am]
Billing code 7510-13-P
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