Florida Tech to Host ‘The Evolution of Space Travel’ Panel Discussion Feb. 20 at Gleason Performing Arts Center
By Space Coast Daily // February 8, 2025
This free event is open to the public
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Join Florida Tech for a panel discussion on “The Evolution of Space Transportation,” featuring industry experts ranging from a former space shuttle astronaut to an engineer supporting NASA’s Gateway program, as part of the F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series, on February 20.
This free event is open to the public, located at the Gleason Performing Arts Center, 2943 Science Circle in Melbourne, from 5 – 6:15 p.m. Reservations are required.
Reserve your seat HERE.This moderated panel discussion on space transportation and exploration, from where we’ve been to where we’re going will feature these industry experts:
John Zarella – American news correspondent – Master of Ceremonies
Zarrella is an American journalist, widely known for his work as principal correspondent for CNN’s coverage of the U.S. space program, reporting on events such as the 1986 Challenger disaster, John Glenn’s 1998 return to space, the Mars Pathfinder mission and the final flights of the Space Shuttle program. In 2024, Zarella served as master of ceremonies for the investiture of Dr. John Nicklow, Florida Tech’s sixth president.
Joan Higginbotham – American astronaut, ’92 M.S., ’96 M.S. – Panelist
Higginbotham is an electrical engineer, rocket scientist and retired astronaut, with dual master’s degrees, and a 35+ year career working with Fortune 500 companies in the aerospace, energy, and retail sectors. In 2022, she founded Joan Higginbotham, Ad Astra, LLC, an aerospace consulting firm, and recently consulted with Blue Origin which was awarded a $3.4 billion contract by NASA to develop and fly a lunar lander.
Jimmy “Jimmy” Jenkins – President at Blue Halo, ’98 M.S. – Panelist
Jenkins is the President and General Manager of the Armed Forces Portfolio at Blue Halo. Before this, he served as Director of Strategic Programs at Dynetics, focusing on hypersonics, high-energy lasers, and space systems, after spending five years at Northrop Grumman, where he oversaw Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems.
Lauren-Ann Graham, ’20, ’23 M.S. – Panelist
Graham is a Lockheed Martin mechanical test engineer currently supporting NASA’s Gateway program, which includes work on the Orion spacecraft set to one day carry humans back to the moon. From the Launch Control Center, she supported the Artemis 1 mission management team during launch operations. An aspiring astronaut and STEM advocate, Graham shares her journey via social media and community outreach.
For more information about this event CLICK HERE.
About F. Alan Smith
F. Alan SmithA member of the Florida Tech Board of Trustees since 1996, F. Alan Smith had a prestigious career at General Motors Corporation that spanned more than 35 years. Mr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1952 and an MBA in 1953. He now resides in Indialantic, Florida. Mr. Smith created this program to enhance the academic experience, introduce outstanding speakers to the university, and to engage the community around the topic of transportation—an industry in which Alan dedicated his career.
Established in 2007 as the F. Alan Smith Visiting Executive Program and since 2016 known as the F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series, this event was created to attract national leaders in a wide range of industries, typically those impacting transportation, and other subject experts to speak to students, faculty and community members at Florida Tech. Speakers address topics such as innovation in the automotive industry and self-driving cars, the hyperloop and high-speed rail, and innovations that impact business and the quality of life from space, land and sea exploration and travel.
About Florida Institute of Technology
Founded to educate the pioneers of the U.S. space program, Florida Tech is deeply, historically rooted in this culture of relentless determination. Today, we carry on this legacy through the rigorous hands-on degree programs we offer in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology and more.
CLICK HERE for more information about FIT.
