Haridopolos, Moody Lead Florida Delegation in Push to Bring U.S. Space Academy to Florida

September 3, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Chairman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) led a bipartisan group of Florida’s congressional delegation in urging President Donald Trump and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to consider Florida as the permanent home of the newly announced United States Space Academy.

“For more than seven decades, Florida’s Space Coast has served as the launchpad of America’s space program. From Mercury and Apollo to the Space Shuttle and now Artemis, Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral have been at the center of some of our nation’s most consequential achievements in space. Today, that legacy continues as the Space Coast leads the way in human spaceflight, commercial launches, exploration, and innovation,” wrote the lawmakers.

“There is no better place to train the next generation of American space leaders than the state that has launched generations of Americans to the stars,” said Congressman Haridopolos. “Florida has the infrastructure, the universities, the workforce, and the unmatched experience to make the United States Space Academy a success. As Chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Moody and our Florida colleagues to make the case for bringing this important new institution to the Sunshine State.”

“Florida is America’s launchpad to space and there is no better home for the new United States Space Academy. As Senator for the Space State, I’ll keep working to grow our aerospace industry and ensure that Florida is the premier state for training the next generation of explorers,” said Senator Moody.

The lawmakers highlighted Florida’s unique combination of spaceflight heritage, launch infrastructure, national-security capabilities, academic resources, and commercial space activity as the Presidential Commission considers a permanent location for the Academy.

The bipartisan letter was signed by: U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos, U.S. Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, and U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin, Mario Diaz-Balart, Neal Dunn, Byron Donalds, Aaron Bean, Anna Paulina Luna, John Rutherford, Vern Buchanan, Randy Fine, Carlos Gimenez, Kat Cammack, Jimmy Patronis, Jared Moskowitz, Daniel Webster, Darren Soto, Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, Laurel Lee, Brian Mast, María Elvira Salazar, and Greg Steube.

Background:

The letter highlights several key advantages Florida can offer:

Unparalleled access to the space enterprise: Florida brings together NASA, the U.S. Space Force, military and national-security capabilities, and one of the nation’s largest commercial space ecosystems.
A world-class academic foundation: Florida’s universities already collaborate on space research and education through the Florida Space Research Consortium, creating a strong foundation for the Academy’s educational and research mission.
Hands-on training opportunities: Students could learn directly from astronauts, engineers, military and Space Force personnel, researchers, and commercial space professionals while gaining firsthand exposure to launch and space operations.
Statewide aerospace infrastructure: Beyond Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, facilities and capabilities at Eglin, Tyndall, Cecil, and Homestead offer opportunities spanning research, testing, manufacturing, education, and national security.
A natural home for a national institution: Locating the Academy in Florida would allow students from across the country to train within the operational ecosystem that is shaping America’s future in space.

Read the full letter HERE.

###