One day after President Obama charts his new course for NASA and the space industry, regional leaders and a National Public Radio correspondent will discuss the impact those changes could have.
“The Future: Florida, NASA and the Space Industry” will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, at UCF’s Executive Development Center, 36 W. Pine St., Orlando. Panelists plan to discuss the retirement of the space shuttle, what that will mean for Central Florida and new applications for space-related technologies. Those topics may change depending on the details of President Obama’s plan.
The event will feature Pat Duggins, National Public Radio’s NASA correspondent and the author of “Final Countdown: NASA and the End of the Space Shuttle Program,” as the opening speaker. A panel discussion will follow.
Panelists include Frank DiBello, president of Space Florida; Lisa Rice, president of Brevard Workforce; M.J. Soileau, vice president of UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization; Lynda Weatherman, president of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast; and Florida State Rep. Ritch Workman, a Republican who represents the Space Coast area.
There is no cost to attend. Reservations are required and can be made by phone at 407-235-3934 or by e-mail at metro@mail.ucf.edu. For more information, please contact Diane Trees at 407-235-3934.