Fruit flies in space: How a 1947 experiment helped NASA study immunity

On August 28, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a United States Space Academy at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The proposal, which would establish a NASA-led institution similar to a military academy, is a new idea in space policy. During his first term, Trump supported the Artemis program and the establishment of the Space Force, further indicating his interest in space exploration.

Trump's speech and the executive order leave several questions unanswered. For instance, there is confusion regarding the relationship between the space academy and the military, as well as what the academy would teach and how much of its curriculum would focus on military uses of space. The executive order also raises concerns about the academy's relationship to civilian and military space programs, including potential obligations for students to serve in the Space Force and the extent of military-specific training.

Additionally, Congress would need to establish the new bureaucratic organization and provide funding. With an estimated cost of around $1 billion per year, the academy's financial implications could be significant.