Trump Creates a Space Academy and Honors the Artemis Astronauts (houstonpublicmedia.org)
- Reference: 0185261606
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/08/28/221237/trump-creates-a-space-academy-and-honors-the-artemis-astronauts
- Source link: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/nasa/2026/08/28/560684/trump-awards-artemis-ii-crew-medals-of-honor-signs-order-calling-for-space-academy-during-houston-stop/
> The Artemis II crew -- NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen -- retraced history as they [4]flew around the moon and back in April, the first time humans have been in lunar territory since the 1970s. He had previously hosted the crew members at the White House following their mission and called them during the mission while the crew was tens of thousands of miles away. "The one thing that really sticks out to us [from that call] is you said how proud you are and how proud our nation is for the job that we've just accomplished," Wiseman said during Friday's ceremony. "And for us, that is what we set out to do. We wanted to inspire this nation to learn."
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> During the ceremony, Trump also signed an executive order to create the "United States Space Academy." Under the order, a Presidential Commission on the U.S. Space Academy has 120 days to create a report with guidelines for the U.S. Space Academy. The Commission will include NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as its Chair, as well as other NASA and space officials. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president for science and technology. In effect, it allows the Trump Administration to build the U.S. Space Academy to its liking. "It will serve both the United States Space Force as well as NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry," Trump said. "And it will attract, train, graduate the very best that our nation and our nation really has to offer."
As for where the academy will be located, Trump said he was "going to be choosing a location very shortly."
[1] https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/nasa/2026/08/28/560684/trump-awards-artemis-ii-crew-medals-of-honor-signs-order-calling-for-space-academy-during-houston-stop/
[2] https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/president-trump-signs-executive-order-to-create-us-space-academy/
[3] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/establishing-the-united-states-space-academy/
[4] https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/04/03/2326236/artemis-ii-astronauts-pass-100000-miles-from-earth-on-voyage-to-the-moon
So ... (Score:2)
We have official confirmation that there are real Space Cadets in the Command chain of the US Military.
Get rich, quick, or plausible? (Score:2)
Another opportunity for Trump to put his name on something. Does this mean that all of NASA's training facilities now become a campus under the US Space Academy? Between Trump, Hegseth and Musk, I suspect the Space Academy will offer mail-order education (for $10K), so NASA will still be training their technicians.
Re: (Score:2)
I came here to promote the idea it would be Online via Grand Canyon University, but you beat me to essentially the same point.
The space cadet core (Score:2)
You need to meet Trump's IQ to get in.
In a small change, (Score:2)
The four astronauts will now be known as Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy America.
In other NASA news, the new Artemis lunar lander, currently in development, will be powered not by dimethylhydrazine, but by steam.
Re: (Score:2)
Joking aside, there's a much more subtle change too. Look at the quoted wording from the astronauts: "*our* nation" , "inspire *this* nation" . Even at the height of the US-Soviet cold war it was still "for *all* mankind" .
I get Trump's order is very much aimed at the NASA and the US (and probably getting his name onto it somehow), so can give that a pass, but the astronauts had an opportunity to rise above all that partisanship and slip in a message of much needed global unity, yet failed to do so. Ther
This could be a good idea (Score:2)
As with any idea, execution is key. If it results in a real academic institution focused on space and brings together the scientific talent needed to properly train and teach students, it's a win. Personally, I'd make it an adjunct to the existing academies as they already are engineering/science oriented; making it a one or two year post graduate education program for those selected, along with select ROTC and civilians with undergraduate degrees. I wouldn't lt Hegseth get near anything more involved t
Further live reporting from the ceremony (Score:2)
After signing the executive document, the room was in a good mood. At that time a reporter asked the illustrious orange leader what he hoped to achieved from Artemis.
The great orator replied, "Our dame? Big plans. 'Ar dame's gonna the moon and then Our eye on land, show Our Anne what for."
The room was silent, but the good mood was hardly diminished.
East Palestine, OH (Score:2)
Put it in East Palestine, OH. No one will notice another train wreck.
deficit? (Score:2)
I thought Trump wanted to pay down the deficit? Everything he does seems to cost money. Where are his ideas to save money without killing people or spreading illness?
Re: deficit? (Score:2)
Facilitating the spread of deadly illnesses cuts down on vulnerable people who may be collecting social security benefits, medicare or otherwise. Killing them is his way of cutting expenses, and thus, the deficit. All part of project 2025.
Re: (Score:2)
> I thought Trump wanted to pay down the deficit? Everything he does seems to cost money. Where are his ideas to save money without killing people or spreading illness?
It's not his money he's spending, so he doesn't care.
Re: deficit? (Score:2)
I know, while I was writing it I realized the question was a bit like asking why the inhabitants of the asylum don't treat people for mental illness.