An agreement finalized this week between Florida Tech and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will bring the heavens just a bit closer to Earth for the denizens of Central Florida and beyond.
Florida Tech President John Nicklow and KSCVC Chief Operating Officer Therrin Protze signed an agreement July 15 flanked by their respective mascots, Pete the Panther and SpacePerson. Through this partnership, led by the university’s Ortega Observatory, organizers plan to create new and expand existing educational opportunities on space sciences for researchers, students and the general public.
“This partnership demonstrates the trust in Florida Tech and the Ortega Observatory team to coordinate an educational program that will impact thousands of people in the future who visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,” Nicklow said at the signing.
Protze said the new partnership is meaningful for the popular tourist attraction.
“We’re thrilled with the interest by Florida Tech to potentially use a brand-new telescope we acquired for outreach programs. This is the best and only place it should be,” Protze said. “One year later, what started as a spark is lighting the way for the Visitor Complex and Florida Tech to reveal the field of astronomy to guests and inspire the next generation to consider the studies in this discipline and, better yet, to pursue their dream career at Florida Institute of Technology.”
The partnership includes two key outcomes:
- Educational program coordination: The university’s Ortega Observatory team will lead the educational program for observational astronomy at KSCVC, organizing observational events and scientific talks in the new Gateway building at the complex.
- Portable observatory: Florida Tech will operate a portable robotic observatory, enhancing research, educational and outreach opportunities for Florida Tech students and the Space Coast community.
The partnership, noted Luis Quiroga-Nuñez, assistant professor of astrophysics and director of the Ortega Observatory, “will open a broad range of opportunities for researchers, students and the general public in the field of space sciences.”
“We’re very pleased to launch this new educational and research effort. Glad to see this come to fruition,” Nicklow concluded. “As I often say, the sky is not the limit at Florida Tech. It’s really only the beginning.”
Protze added, “Our powerful partnership brings new dimension to educational events to inspire our mutual audiences. We look forward to working with you to realize these new programs through the expertise of Florida Tech’s astronomers and astrophysicists.”
