NASA moving at warp speed to set up US Space Academy

NASA has released a document that provides some initial details about the proposed United States Space Academy, and it’s clear that the space agency wants to move quickly in establishing the institution.

According to the document’s timeline, NASA seeks a groundbreaking for a permanent campus no later than next year, the first class to be enrolled and begin studies in temporary facilities in 2028, and a transition to a permanent campus in 2031.

What will that campus look like?

NASA is seeking a permanent site with at least 300 acres for the Space Academy, which aims to “prepare a new generation of leaders to explore, build, operate, secure, and defend the space domain.” Proximity to NASA facilities or university campuses could be a plus. The campus will initially support 1,200 undergraduates, with the potential to expand to up to 4,000 students.

Let the bidding begin

The document is called a “Request for Information,” and it essentially kicks off the bidding process among US states to house the Space Academy. This is expected to be a hot competition, with states such as Texas, Florida, and Alabama expected to put forth attractive bids to the federal government.

All 50 states are invited to submit a single response, specifying their contributions such as land, infrastructure, funding, and more. Respondents are also asked to provide a “rough-order-of-magnitude” estimate of the cost to establish and operate the Space Academy at their proposed locations. Submissions are due back to NASA by October 26.

The 14-page document sets up a competition that may look something like a major corporate relocation, with states pitching packages of free land, university partnerships, state funding, and more to lure the federal government to choose their state.