Bill · H.R. 10430· House(119-HR-10430)
STARS Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/16/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- Byron Donalds
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 10430, known as the STARS Act of 2026, establishes the United States Space Academy as a Federal service academy within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill requires that the permanent campus of the Academy be located in the State of Florida. It mandates that the NASA Administrator select a specific site within Florida that meets certain criteria, such as proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The legislation also directs the Administrator to consult with the Governor of Florida and submit an implementation report to Congress within 180 days. Finally, the bill authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds for site acquisition, design, and construction of the Academy.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this put more money into scientific research?+5
The bill establishes an academy dedicated to undergraduate technical education and research preparation within the aerospace domain.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
Young adults pursuing careers in aerospace engineering and space operations benefit from the establishment of a dedicated federal academy.
Would students be better off under this?+5
Students interested in aerospace and space careers gain new educational and professional development opportunities through the academy.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 4(a): The bill establishes the United States Space Academy to provide undergraduate technical education, leadership development, and commissioning or civil-service preparation pathways, which could benefit individuals seeking careers as future leaders of the space domain.
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Section 5(b): The bill requires the permanent campus to be located in Florida and prioritizes sites that allow for direct academic and operational partnerships with Space Launch Delta 45 and Patrick Space Force Base, and proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which could provide cadets with real-world immersion and training alongside active launch operations.
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Section 5(b)(4): The bill prioritizes sites that leverage existing Federal, State, or university-owned land, which could benefit taxpayers by minimizing land acquisition costs within the State of Florida.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 7: The bill authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Act, including for site acquisition, design, and construction of the Academy's permanent campus, which could result in a financial burden for taxpayers funding the new Federal service academy.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5Improves College Affordability+4Increases Public School Funding+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+4Improves Economic Growth+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3Improves International Alliances+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+2
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Daniel WebsterRepublican · Florida