BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Sen. Ashley Moody is pushing to make the Sunshine State the home of the newly created United States Space Academy.
During a Tuesday news conference, Moody outlined her intention to introduce legislation once the U.S. Senate reconvenes.
Her proposal follows President Donald Trump’s executive order last month creating the Space Academy, an institution aimed at preparing future leaders for the U.S. Space Force, NASA and the growing commercial spaceflight sector.
“The newly established United States Space Academy belongs in Florida – America’s launchpad to the stars. That’s why the first thing I’ll do when I’m back in Washington is introduce legislation to bring the academy home to Florida—ensuring our nation’s next generation of space leaders is educated, trained, and prepared for a future in the final frontier right here on Florida’s Space Coast,” Moody said.
The effort adds to Moody’s broader push to strengthen Florida’s role in the nation’s space program, including her CAPE Canaveral Act proposal to relocate NASA headquarters to Florida’s Space Coast.
The push to bring the academy to Florida’s Space Coast is happening as the region has seen launches increase by more than 500% since 2016.
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Florida is home to numerous commercial space launch providers, several universities that make up the Florida Space Research Consortium, and thousands of Space Force and NASA employees.
Last week, Moody and Rep. Mike Haridopolos — both Republican U.S. lawmakers from Florida — led Florida’s congressional delegation in a letter to the president and NASA administrator offering Florida as the academy’s future home.
The proposed institution would train students seeking careers in the U.S. Space Force while also serving NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry.
The letter was also signed by Sen. Rick Scott and Florida representatives from both parties, including Scott Franklin, Mario Diaz-Balart, Byron Donalds, Anna Paulina Luna, Vern Buchanan, Carlos Gimenez, Jimmy Patronis, Darren Soto, Kathy Castor and others.
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