Texas Aims to Host U.S. Space Academy
Governor Greg Abbott announced the formation of a leadership team to promote Texas as the potential permanent home for the new U.S. Space Academy. The initiative will be led by State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood), working in partnership with the Texas Space Commission to draft a proposal highlighting Texas’s suitability for the military academy.
Background
In August, during a Houston visit, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the U.S. Space Academy, with the goal of preparing the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and more to advance American interests in space. The academy requires a permanent site of at least 300 acres.
Texas’s Advantages
Gov. Abbott emphasized Texas’s qualifications, stating:
“Texas is the home of America’s human spaceflight program… NASA’s Johnson Space Center, world-class universities, a premier commercial space industry, major military installations, and an unmatched aerospace workforce give Texas every asset the United States Space Academy requires.”
His sentiments were echoed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who highlighted Texas’s role in space innovation and exploration.
Proposal Team
The proposal team comprises several notable members, including:
- Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, former astronaut
- Dr. Heather Wilson, president of The University of Texas at El Paso
- Jack Fischer, retired astronaut
Next Steps
Governors must submit proposals to NASA’s Request for Information by October 26, with the Presidential Commission’s report due by December 26, 2026.
Credit: United States Space Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
About the Author
Amanda is a writing fellow for Texas Scorecard, an Austin native with a degree from Pensacola Christian College. She combines her passion for research and writing with a commitment to Texas.
