Space Operations Academy - FL

The Space Operations Academy is held every summer on the world’s premier gateway to space, the Florida Space Coast. Home to Space Force Launch Delta 45 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base and NASA on Kennedy Space Center. An area rich in rich history of the space race and taking America to the moon is home to not only the military and government launch operations but commercial partners as well:

• SpaceX

• ULA

• Blue Origin

• Relativity Space

• Northrop Grumman

• Martin Marietta

• Boeing

• General Dynamics

• and many more start- up companies.

Depending on operations and what can be supported, cadets will have the opportunity to tour the facilities and space launch complexes that are rarely viewed on the public tours. They may also have the opportunity to interact with the personnel who support launch operations. There are many factors that affect if a rocket launch can take place, weather can affect even America’s most powerful, heavy lift rockets.

Cadets may have the opportunity to visit:

• Kennedy Space Center

• Vehicle Assembly Building

• Space Shuttle Landing Facility

• Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

• Sand History Center Museum

• Space Force Missile Museum

Contact for Activity: emarzano@ilwg.cap.gov

Activity Facebook Group for Participants, Parents, and Alumni: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Be51juaKM/

Note: Cadets enrolled in Cadet Wings are not eligible for national activities until they complete the program or are disenrolled.

Registration Prerequisites:

The following are required at the time of application:

• Must be at least age 15 by the first day of the activity

• Must be under the age of 21 at the end of activity

• Must have Encampment credit

• Must have earned the Wright Brothers Award (C/SSgt)

• Must have updated CAP Health updated within prior 30 days

• Must be U.S. Citizen

Cadets: There are cadet staff positions at this activity. Please contact the Activity Director for more information before submitting an application. 

Senior Members: 

• Must be current in Cadet Protection Training

• Must have updated CAP Health updated within prior 30 days

• Must be U.S. Citizen

• Typical positions filled at this activity include, but are not limited to:

  • Safety

  • Health Services

  • Public Affairs

  • Transportation

  • Finance

Please contact the Activity Director to learn more about current staff needs or openings.

Apply in Registration Zone

Applications will be accepted from 15 December through 15 January at 12pm Central.  

Parent, Unit and Wing Approval deadlines must be met in order for an application to be considered. 

All participant and staff applications must be submitted via Registration Zone in eServices. 

Lift/Top is a needs-based financial assistance program. If selected as a Lift/Top recipient, your activity tuition will be paid by NHQ and you may have the option to receive a partial travel reimbursement towards round trip transportation to and from the activity. Lift/Top recipients must accept their slot in writing in order to receive this financial support.

CAP Cadet Scholarships: Through the generosity of our supporting donors, some CAP scholarships focus on supporting cadet attendance at NCSAs through a merit-based application process. Please see the Scholarship page to see the full list of available Activity Scholarships.

How to apply:

• Applications for both Lift/Top and CAP Scholarships are located in Registration Zone.

• You must apply for each program for which you wish to be considered.

• Lift/Top and each CAP Cadet Scholarship have their own individual Registration Zone events, separate from activity applications.

Important:

• Applying for these financial support programs does not guarantee financial assistance will be offered.

• Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity.

• You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity.

• You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.

The deadline to apply for these financial support programs is 15 January at 12pm Central. No late applications will be accepted. 

• Complete 80% of the activity requirements 

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior

• Activity Director determines course objectives met

Activity Staff will provide transportation between Orlando International Airport and the activity location.

Required Staff Training: TBD