These states are scrambling to become home to a US Space Academy

Recently, the White House announced the establishment of a U.S. Space Academy. It is not a traditional service academy like West Point or Annapolis, as some graduates will go into the Space Force, while others will go to NASA or the civilian sector.

The exact framework of the proposed Space Academy is still a work in progress, where curriculum, the faculty, partnerships and, one supposes, even the name of the football team have yet to be determined. A committee chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will present a proposal within 120 days.

In the meantime, several U.S. states are scrambling to be selected as the site for the Space Academy. The states vying for it know that it will provide a great many construction jobs initially in addition to other jobs and economic benefit after the place is built. 

According to Payload Space, the states would have to provide at least 300 acres with proximity to a NASA facility or an institution of higher learning, and be able to accommodate 1,200 students, eventually increasing to 4,000. Proposals are expected by Oct. 26.

Of the states that might become the site of the Space Academy, at least three would seem to be the front runners: Texas, Florida and Alabama. Each has an important NASA center along with a strong academic and commercial space presence.

Currently, Texas is exerting the maximum effort to attract the Space Academy. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has established a leadership team to formulate the state’s proposal. State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Texas) is in charge of the effort that will........

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