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Jeff Papa, ’99, got to meet with NASA and private space technology researchers at the Kennedy Space Center April 7 and 8. In addition, he was able to witness the launch of the SpaceX Dragon rocket on April 8.

Papa learned about the projects NASA and its commercial partners are working on in the areas of space travel and research. These projects include research on growing food in space being conducted with Purdue University. He also was able to meet researchers from Eli Lilly and Company. Papa is shown in the photo at left with NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock.

A highlight of the experience was the launch of SpaceX’s Dragon rocket, which was carrying supplies and research projects to the International Space Station. The booster rocket successfully landed on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean after the launch. It is believed that the ability to reuse these kinds of rockets will go a long way toward making space travel and research more affordable.

Papa is chief of staff and legal counsel for the Indiana Senate, and is active with the Youth Enhancement and Training Initiative, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit he founded to build and sustain an orphanage in Nepal. He served as Zionsville’s first mayor from June 2015 until January 2016.