Pretend starship captain to take trip in real space capsule
- Reference: 1633364590
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/10/04/blue_origin_shatner/
- Source link:
Shatner, famed for some nerdy TV show from the 1960s, had been rumoured as one of the crew taking flight on 12 October aboard NS-18. Joining him will be Audrey Powers, vice president of Blue Origin's Mission & Flight Operations and former NASA Flight Controller.
"I've heard about space for a long time now. I'm taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle," said Shatner.
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Blue Origin's New Shepard doesn't go into orbit, only being capable of scraping past 100km in altitude. In comparison NASA's Mercury programme, which ran in the years before that stupid telly show, comfortably flew higher and eventually hit orbit with John Glenn's Friendship 7.
[3]
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Still, Shatner's flight will be considerably more luxurious than those of the Mercury astronauts. It will also make him the oldest human (at 90) to be launched into space.
[5]Blue Origin employees complain of sexist culture that ignores safety concerns
[6]More Boots on Moon delays: NASA stops work on SpaceX human landing system as Blue Origin lawsuit rolls on
[7]Blue Origin sues NASA for awarding SpaceX $3bn contract to land next American boots on the Moon
[8]US govt calmly but firmly tells Blue Origin it already has a ride to the Moon's surface with SpaceX, thanks
The news comes [9]in the wake of an essay by former Blue Origin staffers alleging inappropriate conduct, sexism and an iffy approach to safety. For its part, Blue Origin was reported as saying it had "no tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind," and that it stood by its safety record.
As well as her other duties, Powers has served as executive sponsor of Blue Origin's New Mercury gender diversity business resource group. "I have great confidence in our New Shepard team and the vehicle we've developed," she said.
The launch itself is targeted for 1330 UTC on 12 October from the West Texas Launch Site One facility.
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As for how Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic might top Captain Kirk going to space, we could name a few billionaires that would benefit from the journey. On condition they did not come back.
And to Shatner, may the force be with him. Or something. ®
Get our [11]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.blueorigin.com/news/shatner-powers-announced-ns18
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YVt5qc@iQeKcQN@eK1zMfAAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YVt5qc@iQeKcQN@eK1zMfAAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YVt5qc@iQeKcQN@eK1zMfAAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/01/blue_origin_sexism/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/20/nasa_blue_origin_lawsuit_spacex_voluntary_stay/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/16/blue_origin_lawsuit/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/02/us_moon_spacex/
[9] https://www.lioness.co/post/bezos-wants-to-create-a-better-future-in-space-his-company-blue-origin-is-stuck-in-a-toxic-past
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YVt5qc@iQeKcQN@eK1zMfAAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Use the force Kirk
Use the force???
Blasphemy!
Phasers to stun. Beam me up, Scotty!
Re: Use the force Kirk
No use the forks!!
Only 100km altitude?
She cannae take any more, captain.
Re: Only 100km altitude?
It's less than twelve parsecs
One condition …
no [1]singing !
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB3uVARNhmM
Re: One condition …
What he said!
Though I still think using "singing" to describe what he does is an insult to actual singers. :)
Re: One condition …
Though his rendition of Common People is fantastic and greatly appreciated by the now bearded composer.
Re: One condition …
Rap "stars" to a pretty good job of pretending that they "sing" yet get well paid for it...
Yeoman
Will Yeoman Rand be along for the ride?
Re: Yeoman
If she is, it will be the same way Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott finally made it into space...
Witty old fart!
Gotta love Bill... even at 90!
"I've heard about space for a long time now.
Re: Witty old fart!
The only people who like Mr. Shatner are the ones who have not met him.
Re: Witty old fart!
No, no, no, that's Richard Stallman.
Honestly, put at least some effort in if you want downvotes.
:)
Re: Witty old fart!
+1 because it's true, but I find his on screen wit funny. As for his off screen antics, I don't really follow the tabloids.
No red shirts allowed
for obvious reasons!
Dicing With Death
"NASA's Mercury programme, which ran in the years before that stupid telly show"
Oooohhhhh controversial!
How about this, Commentards?
Those that like [classic] Star Trek, upvote me.
Those that don't like [classic] Star Trek, downvote me.
No, I'm not trying to start a flame war, I'm genuinely interested in the love/hate split.
Re: Dicing With Death
The Trouble With Tribbles! My favourite episode. Scotty - the only redshirt that survived the entire series!
exciting!
Can't wait for the inevitable live video feed of Kirk is an horrendously drawn out fight sequence followed by shagging of yet another crew member ... :-)
Shatner, famed for some nerdy TV show
TJ Hooker, right? Right.
Re: Shatner, famed for some nerdy TV show
I was wondering how to work in the TJ Hooker angle... TJ Hooker in space, the first space cop? I know, The Muppet's are going to sue me...
Re: Shatner, famed for some nerdy TV show
Maybe "Barbary Coast", co-starring Jaws from "Moonraker"?
Re: Shatner, famed for some nerdy TV show
If there was a nerdy following, then the reason was...
Heather Locklear
Da da daaa daaa daaa doh Di dahhh duhhh... If this launch isn't accompanied by the classic trek fight/ drama theme they've missed a trick.
Cunning Bezos PR,though given the opportunity to fly on this or SpaceX I wouldn't complain too much either way
NS18
Not NS 1701?
Re: NS18
ITYM NCC 1701
famed for some nerdy TV show from the 1960s
You're not one of those mad conspiracy theorists who claim it was all faked are you?
While you're up there, Jim, you wanna "Fire Phaser's!" at a certain Mar-a-Largo complex? :)
Klingons
The Klingons will be waiting for him in a cloaked ship. The capsule will disappear.
From the essay:
Additionally, a former NASA astronaut and Blue Origin senior leader once instructed a group of women with whom he was collaborating: “You should ask my opinion because I am a man.”
I mean...sure. Perhaps some crazy person might speak like this. But it sounds a lot more likely to be a joke that's been written down in a neutral tone and because of the topic no-one's allowed to question it.
I'm sure there are problems there - it sounds like it. But this example only erodes that position, and does a disservice to people whose stories really do need to be told.
Corporate culture... Shatner's a good fit. Go watch his movie "The Captains", pay attention to his comments to Kate Mulgrew's face about whether a woman can really captain a ship, and also his comments about George Takei's sexuality.
Not to mention the speculation about the untimely death of his third wife.
As for how Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic might top Captain Kirk going to space, …
… there must be a number of incarnations of Dr Who whose presence could be requested.
Down here
There are literally hundreds and thousands of blinking, beeping, and flashing lights, blinking and beeping and flashing - they're *flashing* and they're *beeping*.
You don't want to be the company
responsible for killing Captain Kirk. So they better make sure it goes off without a hitch!
Re: You don't want to be the company
And hopefully doesn't it turn into a five year mission either...
But it only goes up a little bit then comes back down... nothing else!
He'll Shatner the record for oldest man in space.
@FlavioStanchina
That pun is so fucking awful I you deserve an upvote. Not because the pun is any good, but because it was so awful, I had to go the the 'fridge and open a 4pack of Kestrel (super. None of that girlie pop in my fridge).
Have one of these. I don't see why I should "suffer"on my own...
OK, you win. There's no way I can come up with a worse pun.
Captains log...
Will he be up there log enough to produce a Captains log?
Or will it be like the icon ----->
It’s hardly one up man ship any more
When SpaceX call out “on their way to space” at 128km…. BO and VG aren’t one upping anything…
It's space Jim, but not as we know it.
Ye Canna Cross Matter and Anti-Matter
And this definitely doesn't matter.
Now if he was going to the ISS for a part in the Russian movie and makes geriatric moves on the Russian actress, then I'd care.
Use the force Kirk
Hugs,
Gandalf