Bill · S. 5398· Senate(119-S-5398)
STARS Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/15/2026
- Last activity
- 9/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Ashley Moody
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Securing The Advancement of Rising Spacefarers Act of 2026 or the STARS Act of 2026. It establishes the United States Space Academy as a Federal service academy within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Academy will provide undergraduate technical education, leadership development, and commissioning or civil-service preparation pathways. The permanent campus of the Academy is required to be located within the State of Florida. The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration must consult with the Governor of Florida to select the specific site. Additionally, the Administrator must submit a report detailing the final site, curriculum, service obligations, budget, and timeline to the appropriate congressional committees within 180 days.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+6
The Space Academy provides undergraduate education and career preparation pathways for future leaders of the space domain.
Would students be better off under this?+6
The creation of a specialized federal service academy opens new educational and training opportunities for students pursuing space careers.
Does this put more money into public schools?+6
The bill establishes a new federal service academy providing undergraduate technical education and authorizes appropriations for its campus.
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) establishes the United States Space Academy, which provides undergraduate technical education, leadership development, and commissioning or civil-service preparation pathways for future leaders of the space domain. This benefits individuals seeking careers in space by creating structured educational and professional opportunities.
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Section 5(b) requires the permanent campus to be located in Florida near major space assets like the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and local higher education institutions. This provision could benefit students by allowing cadets to train in direct proximity to operational launch, range, and military facilities, and by offering an ecosystem of industry partners, internships, and post-graduate employment pathways.
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Section 6 mandates that the Administrator submit a report to Congress within 180 days containing a proposed academic curriculum, estimated budgets, and implementation timelines. This ensures transparency and holds officials accountable for the rollout of the Academy.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not explicitly identify any negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Veterans+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+6Improves College Affordability+5Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2
- 9/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
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.