Trump Signs Space Academy Executive Order: New US Space Force Training

• President Trump signed an executive order establishing a new U.S. Space Academy during a ceremony honoring the Artemis II astronauts.
• The academy is intended to train personnel for the Space Force, NASA, and the private space industry, drawing comparisons to existing military academies.
• The Artemis II crew, including Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for their recent lunar orbital mission.
• During his speech, President Trump praised his administration's space achievements, including the creation of the Space Force and its role in the invasion of Venezuela, while criticizing predecessors' investment in NASA.
• Each Artemis II astronaut was individually recognized for specific contributions and personal stories, such as a lunar crater named after Wiseman's late wife and Glover's prayer during the mission.

The newly established U.S. Space Academy is envisioned to serve as a premier training ground for future personnel across various space-related sectors.

President Trump formally announced the creation of a U.S. Space Academy on Friday, signing an executive order to establish the institution. The announcement was made during a ceremony where the President presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission: Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. The executive order was signed between his address and the medal presentation, marking a significant step in President Trump space policy.

The Artemis II crew had recently completed a lunar orbital mission in April, conducting crucial research and tests in preparation for the ambitious Artemis IV moon landing mission scheduled for 2028. Following the medal ceremony, Commander Wiseman expressed gratitude to his crew, fellow NASA astronauts, and the President for their support of the space program. The event, which took place on Friday, was followed by a news conference on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where NASA administrator Jared Isaacman answered questions alongside the honored crew members.

The newly established U.S. Space Academy is envisioned to serve as a premier training ground for future personnel across various space-related sectors. President Trump explicitly stated its purpose is to train new members for the Space Force, as well as individuals destined for roles within NASA and the burgeoning private space industry. This initiative, formalized by the Space Force academy executive order, aims to cultivate a skilled workforce essential for the nation's continued leadership in space exploration and defense.

During his speech, President Trump drew parallels between the proposed Space Academy and existing prestigious military institutions, including West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy, emphasizing the high standards and rigorous training expected. While a specific location for the academy was not disclosed, the President acknowledged that prominent figures, including Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Brian Babin, had actively lobbied for its placement. The difficulty of admission to this new institution was also compared to that of elite military academies and Ivy League universities, underscoring its anticipated exclusivity and academic rigor for NASA Space Force training.

President Trump's address at the Artemis II medal ceremony extended beyond the US Space Academy creation, encompassing a broad overview of his administration's contributions to space endeavors and a self-congratulatory tone. He lauded NASA's achievements and the Artemis II crew, while also highlighting his own role in creating the Space Force and advancing the military's presence in space. Notably, he referenced the Space Force's involvement in the invasion of Venezuela and the capture of its President, Nicolas Maduro, as an example of its operational impact.

The President also reflected on his personal admiration for the space program, recalling an instance where he brought a television into a meeting to watch part of an Artemis flight, jokingly noting that no work was accomplished afterward. He offered well wishes for the upcoming August 30 launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. In a critical assessment of past administrations, President Trump asserted that his predecessors had neglected investment in NASA, claiming his terms had propelled the agency from what he termed the “dark ages” into a “golden age” of exploration and innovation.

Near the conclusion of his speech, President Trump individually honored each of the four Artemis II astronauts, highlighting unique aspects of their mission and personal stories. He noted that the Artemis II crew had named a lunar crater after Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, and humorously suggested he would appreciate something on the moon being named after himself. When recognizing pilot Victor Glover, the President drew attention to Glover’s prayer as the spacecraft temporarily lost contact with mission control while passing behind the moon.

For mission specialist Christina Koch, President Trump focused on her inspiring message to young people: “Do what scares you.” He also extended thanks to mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, acknowledging his distinction as the first non-American astronaut to venture beyond low-Earth orbit and his contributions to developing protocols for crew health during the mission. Before stepping aside to sign the executive order, President Trump also briefly touted the record-high stock market performance during his tenure.

While this announcement is primarily political, the creation of a new federal academy via executive order signals future legal developments in government contracting, administrative law, and potentially space law as the academy's structure, funding, and operational regulations are established. Lawyers should monitor for subsequent executive orders, legislative actions, or regulatory proposals that will define its legal framework and impact.

Source: Original reporting via CN