On Friday, Aug. 28, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish the nation’s first Space Academy. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, along with many other state and federal government officials, proposed on Monday, Sept. 21 that the academy should be built in Ohio as part of the Wright Patt Air Force Base (WPAFB) and connected to Wright State University.
According to the executive order, the purpose of the academy is to prepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants and warfighters to advance American interests in space.
After the proposal was announced, Moreno released a press statement through his official website and multiple social media accounts.
“The Space Academy’s natural home is Ohio, the birthplace of aviation and the epicenter of America’s space exploration,” Moreno said. “President Trump knows that Ohio has the resources, the history, and the talent to get this done. Under his leadership, America isn’t just going back to the Moon, we’re staying there.”
Moreno was joined in this proposal by Senator Jon Husted, Congressmen Mike Turner, Governor Mike DeWine and several of Ohio’s statewide leaders.
NASA’s plan is to break ground on the Space Academy no later than 2027 and to have the first class of students in school by 2028, with an established campus by 2031. By the time the project is completed, it is set to hold up to 4,000 students.
“A space academy is essential to our nation’s preeminence in air and space - and Ohio is not only the birthplace of aviation - we continue to be on the leading edge of aerospace and defense,” DeWine said.
Other United States military academies, such as the Army’s Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy in Annapolis and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, had total costs of around $1 billion each. The plan is to have a similar budget for the new Space Academy.
WSU President Sue Edwards released a statement about the academy, as the University is working in partnership with key stakeholders as the application process moves forward.
“[WSU] is committed to leveraging its existing partnerships with Wright Patterson, the Space Force, NASA, AFIT and others to assist with Ohio’s bid for the Space Academy,” Edwards said. “As a member of the U.S. Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise, we are already focused on producing high-quality graduates who are ready to step into a variety of military and civilian work roles within the Space Force.”
Other WSU faculty, such as Eric Corbitt, Dean of Students, have voiced their support for this proposal.
"It's a great opportunity for Wright State, for our region and for the WPAFB," Corbitt said. "There are some other strong candidates for that location, but I think we've got a great case and super support from our local legislators."
The official site of the Space Academy was proposed to be built on Area B of WPAFB and connected to WSU. Although the location has not been officially decided, Ohio officials feel their proposal is very strong.
“I met with the president twice about this in the Oval [office], so we’re very confident,” Moreno said in an exclusive interview with Dayton Daily News.
Moreno also plans to rename part of WPAFB the Trump Wright Armstrong Space Academy at Wright Field.
Many states have made proposals, including Texas, Florida, Alabama, Nevada and Louisiana, in addition to Ohio. The presidential commission created in Aug. has 120 days to develop their plan, including location, which means the decision should be made by the end of the year.
