Alabama’s push to bring the proposed U.S. Space Academy to North Alabama has moved from congressional advocacy to an official state bid.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Alabama is entering the competition to host the academy, naming Huntsville as the state’s preferred location and submitting Alabama’s initial response to the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy.

The move builds directly on an effort led last month by U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who brought Alabama’s congressional delegation together behind North Alabama as the home of the proposed NASA-led academy. The delegation sent a letter to the presidential commission highlighting the Tennessee Valley’s concentration of NASA, military, research, education and aerospace assets.

Now, the state is formally making that case.

“Alabama helped send America to moon, and we are ready to help prepare the Americans who will take us even further,” Ivey said. “With Space Command Headquarters soon coming to Huntsville, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Space Camp and generations of aerospace expertise, Alabama brings an exceptional foundation to this competition. We are making a strong case for the United States Space Academy to call the Rocket City home.”

President Donald Trump established the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy through an Aug. 28 executive order. The commission, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, is charged with developing recommendations for a NASA-led academy intended to educate and develop future astronauts, scientists, engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants and military personnel.

The commission also is tasked with recommending how a permanent site should be selected, along with the academy’s governance, curriculum, admissions requirements and potential graduate service obligations. No permanent location has been selected.

Alabama’s official submission represents the next step in a campaign that became public in September when Strong spearheaded a bicameral delegation letter supporting North Alabama.

Strong said North Alabama already has many of the institutions and capabilities an academy would need.

“North Alabama is the natural home for the United States Space Academy,” Strong said last month. “We have the people, expertise, institutions, infrastructure, and capabilities to lead a world-class Academy that prepares the next generation to advance American leadership in space.”

That effort drew support from Alabama’s congressional delegation, with lawmakers pointing to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Space Command and the region’s aerospace and defense industry as reasons to locate the academy in North Alabama.

Ivey’s submission broadens that effort beyond the congressional delegation, bringing together state and local government, higher education and Alabama’s space and defense community behind Huntsville’s bid.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the city’s case rests not only on its role in the history of the U.S. space program, but on the work underway in the region today.

“Huntsville’s legacy in space exploration is more than just our history. The city is a living, thriving engine for America’s future,” Battle said. “From pioneering the Saturn V rocket to advancing next generation propulsion and defense technologies, the Rocket City has always answered the nation’s call with inspiration and innovation.”

Battle also pointed to Huntsville’s STEM education pipeline, skilled workforce and collaboration among organizations at Redstone Arsenal.

“With world class STEM education pipelines, a highly skilled workforce and unmatched collaboration across our partners on Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville stands ready to shape the next chapter of America’s leadership in space,” Battle said. “The U.S. Space Academy belongs in a place where innovation is in our DNA, and that place is Huntsville.”

States interested in hosting the academy are being asked to submit responses through their governors or designated representatives. Responses are due Oct. 26 as the commission develops its recommendations. The current planning timeline calls for groundbreaking for a permanent campus no later than 2027, temporary facilities for an initial class in 2028 and operation at a permanent site by 2031.

Ivey said Alabama intends to make Huntsville’s existing space infrastructure and workforce central to its case.

“Alabama has never lacked the ingenuity or determination to take on a mission of national importance,” Ivey said. “With President Trump’s leadership charting a bold course for America’s future in space, we would be proud to help build an academy that strengthens our nation’s leadership for generations to come.”

The state’s official pitch comes one day before Trump’s scheduled visit to Alabama.

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