Space is the literal future and to achieve the wanted future we all hope to receive through our space adventures we overlook one of the biggest yet least discussed barriers: available and ready manpower.

In an attempt to fix this problem, a group of engineers, entrepreneurs, and the astronauts themselves have created the first private space academy. The school was created last year the world witnessed some of the most important space milestones. Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have begun taking space tourists to space and last month SpaceX launched its first private astronaut crew.

Axiom Space is planning several more private missions in the coming years and has big plans to build a private space station in orbit by the end of the decade. Northop Grumman, Blue Origin, and Nonoracks have also set the goal to have their own orbital facility in space. If all of this comes to be true, the number of people heading to space could boom. However, only national space agencies have the facilities and expertise to prepare astronauts for the travel. Star Harbor Academy however hopes to fill that gap in the market with $120 Million facilities designed to train the future private astronauts.

“There is an unprecedented renaissance occurring within the space industry today. We have the opportunity to foster a new generation of explorers, innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, and technologies to leave a powerful, positive legacy for generations to come.”

Maraia Tanner, the CEO, said.

Ex-astronauts, former NASA officials, and leading aerospace executives are on board for the project which will be built on a 53-acre plot of land in Lone Tree, Colorado, and is scheduled to open its doors in 2026. The full range of services won’t meet the opening date, but the facility will feature everything required to train astronauts. These features include:

• Microgravity flights

• Neutral buoyancy facility

• High-gravity centrifuge

• Land-based and underwater habitats

• Hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers

• Human performance center

The private space industry is not the only focus of the company. Space Harbor Academy also plans to offer facilities to companies wanting to test technologies in realistic spaceflight conditions.

Star Harbor Academy says its new research campus will adjust the barrier to entry in the space economy. The estimated initial revenue is said to be nearly 60%. This revenue could change quickly as the recent United States Chamber of Commerce report predicts the country will need more than 1.5 Million workers to work within and maintain the growth of the space economy.

The courses being offered by the company will be offered to operators, users, passengers, and mission specialists. The world’s plan for space exploration will require the manpower and training being promised by the Space Harbor Academy. Given the advancements we have already witnessed in such a short time, 2026 may turn into 2024 for the company’s expected growth…

Keep up to date with the Space Harbor Academy’s growth HERE