HOUSTON — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has created a leadership team to develop the state’s proposal to host the permanent United States Space Academy, with state Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, leading the effort.
Abbott announced the initiative Tuesday as the federal government considers where to permanently locate the academy, which President Donald Trump established through an executive order last month at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Bonnen, who chairs the Texas House Appropriations Committee, will work with the Texas Space Commission to prepare the state’s proposal for the federal government.
“Texas is the home of America’s human spaceflight program,” Abbott said. “No state can match what Texas brings to this mission.”
The Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy will recommend a permanent location for the institution.
Texas highlights space and military infrastructure
Texas officials plan to highlight the state’s existing space, military and research infrastructure in its proposal.
Johnson Space Center serves as NASA’s Human Spaceflight Center of Excellence and houses the agency’s astronaut corps.
Texas also has universities that train engineers, scientists and other space professionals, along with military installations, an aerospace workforce and a commercial space industry.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick cited the state’s private space companies and research institutions as part of the proposal.
“Texas is the perfect home for the United States Space Academy,” Patrick said.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows also pointed to Texas’ 15 military installations and research universities.
“Texas is a global leader in space exploration and aerospace technology, making our state a natural fit for the new United States Space Academy,” Burrows said.
Texas Space Commission Chair Gwen Griffin said the commission will support the governor’s initiative and work with the leadership team on the proposal.
Team includes astronauts, university leaders
Abbott appointed six additional members to the leadership team alongside Bonnen.
They include:
- Nancy Currie-Gregg, director of the Texas A&M Space Institute, retired Army colonel and former NASA astronaut.
- Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso and former secretary of the U.S. Air Force.
- Evan Loomis, a member of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors.
- Robert Ambrose, associate director of the Texas A&M Space Institute.
- Jack Fischer, retired Air Force colonel, former NASA astronaut and senior vice president at Intuitive Machines.
- Lori A. Magruder, director of the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research.
The team will work with the Texas Space Commission to assemble the state’s proposal as the federal commission evaluates potential locations for the academy.
