Ohio leaders and lawmakers are pushing to establish the proposed U.S. Space Academy at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
It could be a total federal investment of $1 billion, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said while speaking at the Ohio Defense & Aerospace Forum at Wright State University on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Several states are competing to land the academy, including Florida, Texas and Nevada. Proposals, called a request for information, detailing plans to host the school are due to NASA on Oct. 26.
"This is the birthplace of aviation, the Magnificent 7, Neil Armstrong, John Glenn," Moreno said. "This is the only state that can actually offer a turnkey solution for the Space Academy."
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Aug. 28 creating a commission to advise him on establishing the academy, saying the country must prepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and military members.
"Space is a critical domain for American national security, economic growth, scientific discovery, and technological innovation. American superiority in space depends on the strength, skill, and character of those who explore, secure, and build the industries critical to it," the executive order said.
According to Moreno, if selected, Ohio would need to contribute $300 million toward construction. The campus would include a sword shaped Plus Ultra Gate through which students would enter the President Donald J. Trump Multi-Planetary Hall. The state’s proposal describes it as the size of four football fields.
A road lined with statues of Ohio’s famous astronauts and aviators will connect the base to the campus; and nearby will be a golf course designed by Ohio golf champion Jack Nicklaus.
Wright State University President Sue Edwards said the school is already a key player in building up the U.S. Space Force.
"We've been already graduating civilians that have gone on to actually work over in NASIC and are members of the Space Force," Edwards said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has formed a steering committee to coordinate Ohio's application.
DeWine pointed to Wright-Patt and the NASA Glenn Research Center as reasons why Ohio is the ideal location for the U.S. Space Academy.
"These unique sites, along with Ohio’s educational and workforce assets, have the ‘right stuff’ to bolster space research and development, space intelligence, space education, as well as protect our national security interests,” DeWine said in a statement.
He named 11 people to the steering group:
- Chair: Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development
- Vice Chair: Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education
- JP Nauseef, CEO of Jobs Ohio
- Matt Dolan, CEO of Team NEO
- Jeff Hoagland, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition
- Ret. Gen. Lester Lyles, adviser to JobsOhio and DeWine
- Ret. Lt. Gen. JT Thompson
- Jim Free, retired NASA senior civilian
- Ret. Col. Joe Zeis, aerospace and defense adviser to DeWine
- Meghan Wadsworth, assistant policy director, Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- John Horack, vice president for research, Ohio State University
Moreno urged all Ohioians to support the statewide effort to bring it to Wright-Patt.
"My ask to everybody is please put aside your politics," he said. "This isn't about rewarding one party or another. This is about rewarding us as a state and cementing our legacy, cementing the incredible work that already happens here at Wright-Patt Air Force Base and bringing this incredible asset."
He also said the academy will be an economic lure, attracting more global companies in the space industry to the Miami Valley area.
"We are the ones that know how to sustain that presence, what it takes to have a long-continued presence in space," he said.
