The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast has formally pitched the region as the site for the first U.S. Space Academy, according to a letter sent to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The EDC highlighted the area’s existing space industry, research institutions, and universities, including Florida Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman said the academy would benefit from the Space Coast’s established aerospace ecosystem.
The letter outlines how the academy could leverage internships, research partnerships, and industry connections in Brevard County. Weatherman emphasized that students would gain hands-on experience with local companies and research facilities. The EDC’s proposal comes as a presidential commission reviews potential locations for the academy, with 120 days to submit recommendations.
Brevard County already hosts NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and numerous aerospace firms, including SpaceX and Blue Origin. The EDC argued that the region’s infrastructure and workforce make it ideal for the academy. Weatherman said the Space Coast has the capacity to support the academy’s educational and research goals.
The U.S. Space Academy is part of a broader federal initiative to expand space education and workforce training. While no location has been selected yet, the EDC’s letter is the first step in a competitive process. The commission’s final recommendations are expected by early next year.
Local officials have not yet commented publicly on the proposal, but the EDC’s push reflects growing interest in positioning Brevard as a hub for space innovation. The academy could potentially open in the mid-2030s if approved.