5-minute read | 750 words
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Expanding America’s space capabilities.
Host Maria Varmazis and producer Ethan Cook sit down to continue their conversation on the Trump administration’s recent space-related Executive Orders (EOs). In their previous conversation, the two focused on the EOs that centered on redefining America’s space policies. For this discussion, the two dive deeper into these orders looking at EOs that increase technological expertise and capacity.
Subscribe and listen to the conversation now.
Closing America’s space gaps.
This week on T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing: we focus on some of the more specific EOs that look to increase America’s capacity for space talent development and technological innovation.
Does this newsletter spark questions for you? Write to us at space@n2k.com to guide how we’ll continue to explore space-related Executive Orders in future podcast episodes and newsletter issues.
The workforce problem.
As discussed in previous episodes, America’s space capacity is partially limited by the lack of workforce development. The broader cybersecurity workforce gap adds to this challenge, particularly as space systems become increasingly dependent on software, digital communications, and interconnected infrastructure. Professionals working in this sector must often combine specialized knowledge of aerospace and satellite operations with expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, networking, and systems engineering.
To address these workforce needs, the Trump Administration signed the “Establishing the United States Space Academy” proclamation. The initiative reflects the administration’s stated goal of strengthening America’s space capabilities by developing a dedicated institution for technical education and leadership training.
Through the US Space Academy, the administration is looking to create an institution that is “dedicated to combining rigorous technical education with leadership development, discipline, and a durable commitment to public service.” Notably, while this academy will be used to train military personnel within the US Space Force, it will also be used to support NASA’s civilian workforce.
The academy is set to host its first cohort of roughly 300 students in 2028, with a location for the permanent academy expected to be selected by 2031.
The technological gap.
Outside of addressing workforce needs, the administration has also acknowledged that technological innovation also needs greater investment. In EO 14413, or “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation,” the administration is looking to address this emerging technology and its entire impacts across the nation.
For the space sector, the order directed the NASA Administrator to “develop a plan for developing and extending civilian quantum sensing and networking for space applications.” Additionally, the order also tasks this same role to work with the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) to identify additional actions to enhance the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) effort.
These initiatives could help advance technologies with applications in space-based sensing, communications, and scientific research. Quantum sensing, for example, could enable more precise measurements, while quantum networking research could support new approaches to transmitting information.
While these applications are still developing, the order signals an effort to integrate quantum research into the country’s longer-term technological and space ambitions.
Ultimately, these initiatives reflect the administration’s broader effort to strengthen the capabilities needed to support America’s expanding presence in space. Developing a specialized workforce and advancing emerging technologies could help support future space exploration, communications, and national-security operations. However, turning these ambitions into practical capabilities will require sustained investment, technical development, and coordination across government, academia, and private industry.
This week’s space-cyber headlines.
The news stories we’re reading and thinking about this week.
Starlink restrictions in Ukraine war linked to political situation, Zelensky aide says.
- New restrictions have been placed on the speed that Ukrainian weapons can travel while still remaining connected to the Starlink internet network.
- Serhiy Bestrestnov stated that SpaceX’s move “cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation.”
- Listen to Maria’s coverage of the story on the CyberWire Daily.
Oct 14, 2026 | Source: BBC
The Space Force Showed Us Its Weapons Used in Iran and Venezuela.
- The Space Force is deploying electromagnetic warfare systems in key military operations.
- The systems highlight the growing importance of space-based capabilities and electronic warfare in modern military operations, where disrupting satellite communications and space-enabled services can provide strategic advantages.
Oct 14, 2026 | Source: The Wall Street Journal
