Arizona forms Steering Committee to pursue U.S. Space Academy

Arizona is organizing a statewide campaign to compete for the proposed United States Space Academy, an effort that directly involves Tucson through the University of Arizona’s space science community. Gov. Katie Hobbs has created the Arizona U.S. Space Academy Steering Committee to develop the state’s proposal, bringing together university researchers, aerospace executives, economic development officials, an astronaut and leaders from the Arizona Space Commission. The committee’s work could give Tucson a prominent role in Arizona’s case, although no location for the proposed academy has been selected.

The proposed academy is intended to be an American service academy focused on space related operations. President Donald Trump announced the concept on Aug. 28 as a training academy for NASA. The federal government is now seeking information from governors or their designees in states interested in hosting and sponsoring the institution. The request asks states to address factors including infrastructure, partnerships, community support and their support for an academy designed to develop elite students who could become future leaders in space.

Hobbs said Arizona is assembling leaders from the state’s universities, private industry, local communities and the Arizona Space Commission to present what she described as a strong proposal to NASA. The committee is expected to guide the bid and emphasize Arizona’s position in aerospace and defense. Among the assets identified for the state are land available for future development, an established aerospace and defense industry and experience supporting NASA missions.

Tucson’s connection comes most clearly through Erika Hamden, director of the University of Arizona’s Space Institute and an associate professor of astrophysics. Hamden is one of the committee’s members, placing a University of Arizona space leader in the group responsible for shaping Arizona’s application. The state’s committee also includes David Trilling, chair of Northern Arizona University’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science and a professor in the same field. Their participation gives Arizona’s proposal representation from two public universities with astronomy and planetary science programs.

The committee also includes figures with experience extending from government and military space programs to commercial ventures. Barbara Barrett, a former U.S. secretary of the Air Force, is a member, as is Pete Worden, chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and executive director of Breakthrough Initiatives. Worden is also a retired Air Force brigadier general and former director of development and transformation for Air Force Space Command. Laurie Leshin, an Arizona State University professor of space futures and former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is part of the group as well.

Other members bring direct flight, business and economic development experience. Sian Proctor, an astronaut and the first female commercial spaceship pilot, will serve on the committee. Brett Mecum, chair of the Arizona Space Commission, is included alongside Sandra Watson, president and chief executive of the Arizona Commerce Authority. Jim Cantrell, chief executive and co-founder of Phantom Space, and Steve Zylstra, president and chief executive of the Arizona Technology Council, round out the announced membership.

Arizona is not the only state pursuing the academy. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has formed a competing steering group to coordinate that state’s response to the federal request. Ohio’s case centers on its aerospace and defense history, its educational and workforce resources, and the presence of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA’s Glenn Research Center. DeWine has argued that those sites, along with Ohio’s role as the birthplace of aviation and its continuing aerospace activity, make the state a strong candidate for the academy.

Ohio’s group is chaired by Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, with Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey as vice chair. Its other members include leaders from JobsOhio, Team NEO, the Dayton Development Coalition and Ohio State University, as well as retired military officers and former NASA senior civilian Jim Free. The group’s task is similar to Arizona’s: prepare a response highlighting infrastructure, partnerships, national security, research and education capabilities. Ohio’s response is due to the federal government by 6 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, Oct. 26.

For Tucson, the immediate significance is the University of Arizona’s seat at the table as Arizona defines its vision for the academy. The announcement does not specify where the institution would be built, how many students it might serve, what facilities it would require or what financial commitments would be expected from the winning state. It also does not establish a timetable for selecting a location. Those questions would need to be addressed as Arizona develops its proposal and responds to the federal process. For now, Tucson’s connection is through the university’s space expertise and Hamden’s role in the committee competing to bring a new national space institution to Arizona.