Scalise, LA Delegation: The U.S. Space Academy Can Thrive in Louisiana, the World’s New Space Corridor

METAIRIE, LA. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) led the Louisiana delegation, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, and Representatives Clay Higgins, Julia Letlow, Troy Carter, and Cleo Fields, in a joint letter of support for the permanent establishment of the United States Space Academy (USSA) in Southeast Louisiana.

Leader Scalise released the following statement:

“There is no better place for the U.S. Space Academy to develop the next generation of space explorers, engineers, and innovators than Southeast Louisiana, home to America’s Rocket Factory. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Louisiana is in a position to build on its 60-year NASA relationship and help safeguard the nation’s economic and national security. With our manufacturing infrastructure, private sector momentum, and mission-ready educational institutions, we know the U.S. Space Academy can thrive in Louisiana and produce a pipeline of leaders who can advance American space dominance for generations."

What Louisiana Leaders are saying:

"SpaceX is here, Michoud is here, and Louisiana is leading the country in the future of American spaceflight. A Space Academy in New Orleans will prepare our students to be part of that future and build on the incredible space legacy we already have. I’d like to thank the Louisiana delegation for joining together in support of this important investment in our students and our state," said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

“Louisiana has built American manned-space flight for over sixty years; we are now building the future of space travel. This, combined with New Orleans’ central location on the Gulf Space Corridor that stretches from SpaceX to Stennis, makes us a natural location for the US Space Academy," said GNO, Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht.

Read the full letter here or below.

Dear Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy,

We write in strong support of the permanent establishment of the United States Space Academy (USSA) in Southeast Louisiana. We applaud President Trump for his leadership in cultivating the next generation of leaders who will advance America’s dominance in space — safeguarding the nation’s economic and national security.

There is no better place for USSA than Southeast Louisiana:

• America’s Rocket Factory – For more than six decades, NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility has been America's premier aerospace manufacturing center. The 800+ acre complex has built the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and today's Artemis programs - including the massive core stages of NASA's Space Launch System. Every single manned spaceflight from America has been built in Louisiana.
• The World’s New Space Corridor - New Orleans sits at the intersection of an emerging American space ecosystem:
  • Michoud, New Orleans: Human spaceflight manufacturing and advanced aerospace.
  • Stennis Space Center, MS: World-class rocket propulsion testing and research.
  • Starbase, LA: SpaceX’s newly announced spaceport will be the largest and most active in the world.
• High Density of Mission-Relevant Universities – The city and region have a large education and workforce network, with premier institutions like Louisiana State University, Tulane, Loyola University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Delgado and Nunez Community Colleges. These institutions offer world-class Engineering, Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Business, Policy and Entrepreneurship, and are currently feeding NASA and other space companies.

Lastly, USSA’s location in Southeast Louisiana would position it well within the broader Gulf Coast aerospace, defense, and technology ecosystem. The state’s connections to NASA, the Department of War, advanced manufacturing, energy, maritime industries, and other strategically important sectors create an environment in which space-related education can have relevance well beyond the classroom.

Per the RFI, New Orleans has the requisite infrastructure and space to support a groundbreaking in 2027, serve the inaugural class of approximately 300 students in an interim location by fall 2028, and permanently establish a campus that can serve a minimum of 1,200 students by fall 2031, if not before. Furthermore, local and state officials strongly align with our federal delegation, and we stand ready to begin efforts immediately.

We proudly and strongly endorse the permanent establishment of USSA in Louisiana. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. 

Background: 

On August 28, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the USSA to prepare the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and warfighters to ensure American superiority in space. The Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to initiate the site selection process. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry intends to submit an application for the USSA to be located in Southeast Louisiana, between the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility and the proposed site of Starbase, Louisiana.