COLUMBUS, Ohio – NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and Gov. Ted Strickland discussed Thursday during a Future Forum in Columbus how space exploration gives Ohioans a more competitive economy and better quality of life. The event, which was part of a yearlong series of events across the country marking NASA’s 50th anniversary, took place at the city’s Center of Science and Industry, known as COSI.
“Ohio’s history in innovation and exploration has hugely contributed to our nation’s achievements in science and technology,” Strickland said. “We will continue to build on this legacy as we work to bring the jobs of the future to our state.”
Astronaut Carl Walz, an Ohio native and director of the Advanced Capabilities Division in NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, discussed the agency’s plans to return to the moon and beyond. Other NASA participants included astronaut Piers Sellers; Woodrow Whitlow, director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland; Geoffrey Landis, a researcher at Glenn; and John Hairston, director of external affairs at Glenn.
Ohio has a rich, diverse history in the nation’s space program – from 38 astronauts who have called Ohio home to grants that fund education opportunities for future explorers. Ohio is home to three active NASA Explorer Schools, each of which has received a grant to purchase technology tools, online services and in-service support to engage students in science and mathematics. In addition, Glenn plays a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of spacecraft for travel to the moon and beyond.
“COSI is proud to support this commemorative NASA event. Hosting the Future Forum in Columbus allows us to showcase our region’s dedication to science and technology on a world stage, and is a testament to the strong link between NASA and Ohio,” said David E. Chesebrough, president and CEO of COSI. “Our mission is to engage the public with real science and research, and this forum uniquely helps to fulfill that goal.”
Panels throughout the day featured open discussions among NASA representatives and Ohio academic and commercial groups regarding the future of space exploration. Panelists included representatives from COSI, Ohio State University, technology trade group TechColumbus, Entrotech, Battelle and BioOhio, all of Columbus; the Northeast Ohio Technology Corp., the NASA Ohio Space Grant Consortium and NASA’s Glenn Research Center, all of Cleveland; the University of Dayton; and Ball Aerospace, Boulder, Colo.
The Columbus Future Forum was sponsored in part by the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. Other sponsors include Ball Aerospace and Raytheon Corp., Waltham, Mass.
For complete biographical information about Dale, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/dale_bio.html
For more information about COSI, visit:
For more information on NASA’s 50th Anniversary Future Forums, visit:
