Earlier this month, Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll was on hand to welcome the Shuttle Atlantis to its new permanent home at Kennedy Space Center. But Carroll’s visit was not just about the shuttle retirement. She was excited to greet Floridians, astronauts and space enthusiasts at Exploration Park, a 65-acre commercial space park currently under development by Space Florida.
Here Lt. Governor Carroll was joined by NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, who was also a commander during the Atlantis shuttle missions. Her enthusiasm and support for space innovation never wavered throughout the day. She went out of her way to be a positive part of the transition, and was noticeably the only elected official seen at the event.
“Big things are coming to Florida with regard to space innovation, and I will be making some exciting announcements in the coming weeks,” Carroll said.
As Shuttle Atlantis remained available for a 360-degree up-close public viewing, Carroll worked the park, enthusiastically touting major space innovation in Florida in the coming years. She even posed in front of the experimental model for Xcor Aerospace, which was also on display for the public.
The Lt. Governor had many ideas on how to engage Floridians in this transition and welcomes new business and job opportunities to areas that desperately need them. Some of those ideas included statewide tours and PR campaigns for both the public and private interests. Carroll promised more details in early 2013.
Her presence was very welcome and many were not shy to express their opinions, encouragement and suggestions to the Lt. Governor. Carroll walked freely throughout Exploration Park making herself available and accessible, begging the question: Will Florida be hearing and seeing more of Jennifer Carroll ahead of the 2014 elections? Either way, she seems ready for space innovation to expand in Florida and is putting herself out there as an early champion on the issue.
