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119-hr-10430119th CongressWALLET

STARS Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create the United States Space Academy inside NASA to train and commission future leaders in the space domain. It centers on a Florida-based federal service academy that combines undergraduate technical education, leadership development, and commissioning or civil-service pathways.

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  • Students and recruits: Would offer undergraduate technical education, leadership training, and clear pathways to military commissioning or federal civil service. Graduates may have service obligations set by the implementing plan.
  • Florida and local partners: Directs NASA to place a permanent campus in Florida near Kennedy Space Center, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base, Space Florida, and regional universities to strengthen local partnerships and growth.
  • NASA and defense coordination: Would require the NASA Administrator to pick a site using specified proximity, growth, and cost criteria, coordinate with the Governor of Florida, and submit a report within 180 days proposing a final site, curriculum, budget estimates, service obligations, and a timeline.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New U.S. Space Academy at NASA

If enacted, the bill would create the United States Space Academy as an academy inside NASA. The Academy would offer undergraduate technical education, leadership training, and pathways for commissioning or civil-service careers. The bill would define key terms like “Academy,” “Administrator,” and the Presidential Commission. It would also authorize appropriations of "such sums as may be necessary" for site acquisition, design, and construction, but Congress would still have to approve any actual spending.

Florida site and 180-day report

If enacted, the bill would require the Academy's permanent campus to be located in the State of Florida. NASA would have to consult the Governor of Florida and prioritize sites near Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and Space Force bases and favor sites that can grow and use existing public or university land. The bill would say NASA must consider the Presidential Commission's recommendations but may not place the campus outside Florida. Not later than 180 days after enactment, NASA would report to Congress a proposed final site, a proposed curriculum, proposed service obligations for graduates, an estimated construction and operating budget, and an implementation timeline.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/21/2026

  • Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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