Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) has announced the formation of the Arizona U.S. Space Academy Steering Committee in her bid to have the Grand Canyon State host the proposed United States Space Academy.
The Context
In late August, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to form a new service academy focused on space operations, especially as a training ground for NASA.
"To continue to lead the world in space exploration and technology, while securing and defending our national interests in space, the Nation must prepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warfighters and ensure that they are capable of advancing American interests in space," Trump's EO stated, adding, "Achieving this goal requires us to recruit, train, and retain America's best and brightest from across the Nation."
Hobbs' Ambition
With Arizona as a national leader in space research and a sizable aerospace and defense industry, along with a history of supporting NASA missions and plenty of land, Gov. Hobbs hopes the state will be selected to host the proposed academy.
To that end, the Steering Committee is hoping to influence the decision through the public and private sector, and members include big names in military and science such as Ambassador Barbara Barrett, former U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, retired Air Force Brigadier General Pete Worden, Phantom Space CEO Jim Cantrell, Arizona Space Commission Chair Brett Mecum, and Dr. Sian Proctor, the first woman to pilot a commercial spaceship.
"Arizona is bringing together the state's pre-eminent leaders on space science and exploration, representing our world-class universities, industry partners, local communities, and the Arizona Space Commission to build a strong proposal for NASA," Gov. Hobbs said through her press release. "Together, we are going to secure the US Space Academy for our state and continue Arizona's dominance in cutting-edge advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and science and engineering."
