President Trump’s plan to creating a service academy to train astronauts, engineers and scientists to advance America’s space interests sounds good to Orange mayor candidate Chris Messina.
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Messina, a Republican seeking the mayor’s seat, has touted a similar proposal throughout his campaign — and he thinks Orange County is the best spot for the Space Academy.
“It’s super-validating, because what he’s talking about is exactly what we’ve been promoting for well over a year,” Messina said of Trump this week. “This is an incredible opportunity, but we’ve got to fight for it.”
His opponent Tiffany Moore Russell, however, said Orange County voters “have been clear about what they need,” and other issues are more pressing.
Several states, including Texas, home to the Johnson Space Center, and Alabama, home of the Marshall Space Flight Center, are reportedly also vying to land such a facility, which may operate similarly to military service academies like West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy – though apparently with the distinct difference of being focused on building a civilian workforce.
Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 28 creating a commission to recommend a host of decisions needed to create the academy, ranging from the curriculum and how to fund it to determining a location for it. That commission, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, is expected to have a report laying out their recommendations and proposals within four months.
Since the executive order, Florida’s bipartisan congressional delegation sent a letter to Trump and Isaacman making the case for them to choose Florida.
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“Florida offers a climate in which Space Academy students could pursue rigorous academic study, conduct research through our state’s universities, learn from NASA and Space Force personnel, engage directly with commercial space companies, and gain firsthand exposure to the nation’s launch and space operations,” the letter reads.
He’s made pursuing tech-based companies a key tenet of his approach, including specifically trying to capitalize on Orange’s proximity to the Space Coast. Messina said he’s recently spoken to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, about trying to land the Space Academy.
“The links with UCF, the access to one of the world’s greatest airports, a strong military base being located in the heart of Florida are all great reasons why the Space Academy needs to be located in the state of Florida,” he said.
Messina finished second in the August mayoral primary, which secured him a spot in the Nov. 3 runoff, where he faces Moore Russell, a Democrat, in what is officially a nonpartisan race.
Asked about Messina’s pursuit of the academy, Moore Russell said she’s more focused on voters’ affordability concerns, as well as addressing transportation challenges.
“While this may be an idea being discussed, families are asking us to focus on what matters at the kitchen table: Can I afford my home? Can I get to work? Can I earn enough to support my family? Those are the priorities I will focus on as Mayor,” she said in a statement.
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