Trump launches US Space Academy, a 'West Point for space'

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to create the US Space Academy, envisioned as a "West Point for space." The academy aims to train military personnel, engineers, and civilian operators for the US Space Force and the commercial space industry. Trump declared that "space dominance is an economic and national security necessity," adding, "A nation cannot be first on Earth if it comes in second in space."

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Space dominance is an economic and national security necessity.

The former president announced that the location for the new academy has not yet been chosen. During the same event at NASA's headquarters in Houston, Trump also revealed that NASA has begun work on what he described as the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft. This vessel is slated for a mission to Mars in 2028.

Trump attributed his passion for space to his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, a scientist who worked at MIT for 41 years. "I had an uncle who was a great scientist, a great man. He worked at MIT for 41 years: Dr. John Trump. And he loved space. He talked to me about space... and every now and then he would slip the word 'nuclear' in there. My passion for space is genetic," Trump stated.

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A nation cannot be first on Earth if it comes in second in space.

He presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, who is set to pilot the Artemis III mission in the second half of 2027, was also present at the ceremony.

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I had an uncle who was a great scientist, a great man. He worked at MIT for 41 years: Dr. John Trump. And he loved space. He talked to me about space... and every now and then he would slip the word 'nuclear' in there. My passion for space is genetic.