posted 07-15-2016 09:14 AM               

This thread can be used to discuss those events and surrounding coverage.

posted 07-15-2016 09:15 AM               

Trek Talks: Star Trek & NASA Boldly Go
Saturday, July 23; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
San Diego Comic-Con
San Diego Convention Center, California

Star Trek has influenced many of us to fall in love with the infinite possibilities of space exploration. The various television series and films have also made an indelible impact on NASA. NASA scientists, engineers and astronauts often cite Star Trek as inspiring them to pursue careers in their fields. (Nichelle Nichols even helped NASA recruit astronauts in the 1980s.)

Today, NASA is turning science fiction into reality. Humans now live and work in space full time on the International Space Station. NASA continues its goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. How does NASA's vision of the future mimic the world of Star Trek and where does it differ? What technologies in the Star Trek world have paved the way for real technologies being developed by NASA?

This moderated discussion in collaboration with CBS will be accompanied by the latest visual and graphics of some of NASA's newest and most exciting missions. Robert Picardo, who portrayed The Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager, moderates a panel that includes Astronaut Kjell Lindgren (NASA Johnson Space Center), Amber Staughn (astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), Bobak Ferdowsi (flight systems engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and Jay Falker (early stage portfolio executive, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters).

We'll have technologists and engineers who are working toward sending humans to Mars on this panel. What's different (or the same) about what Star Trek professed to do – and what we're actually doing today? Come to "Star Trek – Fact vs. Fiction" and find out.

Join Adam Nimoy (Leonard's son), Dave Zappone (For the Love of Spock), and Terry Farrell (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) along with NASA staff for a NASA Trek Talk Pre-Performance Discussion, one hour before the start of the show on the Associates Deck, to hear about Star Trek's influence on the NASA culture.

• Adam Nimoy, Director, For the Love of Spock
  
• David Zappone, Producer, For the Love of Spock
  
• Terry Farrell, Actress, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
  
• Dave Lavery, Program Executive for Solar System Exploration
  
• Michelle Thaller, Deputy Director of Science Communications
  
• Moderator - Bob Jacobs, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Communication
  
• Moderator - Emil de Cou, Conductor, National Symphony Orchestra

posted 07-22-2016 02:35 PM               

When Star Trek originally aired in 1966, NASA's space program was still in its infancy. But Star Trek allowed us to imagine what could be, if we dared to boldly go where no one had gone before.

Visualized in the Star Trek universe as massive docking ports for star ships exploring the unknown, inhabited space stations have been a reality for over 15 years. Supported by nations around the globe, the International Space Station supports science and research on how humans can survive in the cosmos, laying the ground work for journeys well beyond our own planet. NASA is on the Journey to Mars, and the International Space Station is a critical test bed for the technologies that will get us there.

The path to exploring the furthest stars starts at our planetary neighbors, and today we're closer than ever to humans making those first footprints in alien soil.

posted 08-05-2016 12:25 PM               

Actor William Shatner, known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek takes a moment to discuss the crossroads of science fiction, science fact and NASA.

posted 08-18-2016 08:55 AM               

Smithsonian Explores 50 Years of Star Trek

National Air and Space Museum Invites Fans to "Boldly Go 50"

The 50th anniversary of Star Trek is Sept. 8, and the National Air and Space Museum is inviting fans to celebrate with "Boldly Go 50" — three nights of special programs sponsored by the Roddenberry Foundation. The events will explore the history of the science-fiction franchise and its role in inspiring generations of real scientists, innovators and explorers. "Boldly Go 50" will spotlight the show's message of going where no one has gone before in a space featuring artifacts of exploration achievements from the "Spirit of St. Louis" to SpaceShipOne, and now including the 11-foot studio model of the starship Enterprise used in all 79 episodes of the original series.

Thursday, Sept. 8

Museum visitors can celebrate the moment of Star Trek's 50th anniversary Sept. 8 with special screenings of the first episode aired, "The Man Trap," timed to the show's 1966 timeslot. The program will begin at 8 p.m., with screenings held concurrently at both of the museum's locations: on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. The screenings will be introduced live in Washington and by simulcast to Chantilly by Margaret Weitekamp, the museum's curator of social and cultural dimensions of spaceflight, Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, and Bjo and John Trimble, two of Star Trek's founding fans. The screenings will be followed by a Q&A. Free tickets are required at both locations.

Friday, Sept. 9

The museum's location on the National Mall in Washington will host an evening of anniversary activities, including films, tours, special guests, presentations, photo-ops with the original Enterprise studio model and more. The Smithsonian Channel's new documentary "Building Star Trek" will begin at 8 p.m. in the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, followed by the new film from Adam Nimoy, "For the Love of Spock." Free tickets are required for both films; no tickets are required for museum entry or other activities. The event will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10

The popular Museum Moonshine series continues Sept. 10 at the museum's Washington location with a Star Trek-centric 21-and-over program from the museum and Smithsonian Gardens, exploring the recent conservation of the Enterprise model and the work of the North American Orchid Conservation Center. Activities include selfie stations with a botanic oasis inspired by Star Trek's set designs, sky gazing with staff from the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory, displays from Smithsonian Garden's orchid collection (including a take-home mini-test-tube orchid), Star Trek-inspired treats and talks with special guests and museum experts. A selection of light refreshments and alcoholic beverage samples are included with each ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $35. Tickets for National Air and Space Society members cost $30.

The public can watch for program updates and more Star Trek anniversary content on the museum's social media channels and join the conversation by using #BoldlyGo50. The three-day Star Trek celebration is sponsored by the Roddenberry Foundation. Additional support provided by Adam Schneider.

"We are incredibly excited to be joining the Smithsonian in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and the impact the show has had on millions of people around the world," said Rod Roddenberry, chairman of the Roddenberry Foundation. "I think my dad would have been overjoyed to know that the fans and the broader public will be gathering and honoring this occasion and revisiting what made the show special and what was so important to him—the celebration of diversity, tolerance, and respect for all life forms."

posted 08-23-2016 11:34 AM               

Star Trek: Mission New York Enlists NASA for Out-Of-This-World Discussion of Star Trek's Impact on Space Exploration

NASA Astronauts, Officers, and Scientists to Lead Series of Trek Talks at Star Trek: Mission New York on the Lasting Influence and Inspiration Star Trek Provided For U.S. Space Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is beaming up to Star Trek: Mission New York in September with a stellar lineup of Trek Talks given by Astronauts, scientists, engineers, and Star Trek alumni.

Taking place throughout Labor Day weekend, the talks will cover topics including alien life, exoplanet exploration, and the ways in which Star Trek has influenced NASA, space travel, and modern technology. Star Trek: Mission New York is produced by ReedPOP, the world's largest producer of pop culture events, in collaboration with CBS Consumer Products and will take place at the Javits Center in NYC on September 2-4, 2016.

NASA's lineup of panels at Star Trek: Mission New York includes:

• Trek Talks: NASA
  Sunday, September 4th at 1:30pm (Main Stage)

  NASA scientists, engineers and astronauts often cite Star Trek as inspiring them to pursue careers in their fields. In fact, Nichelle Nichols even helped NASA recruit astronauts in the 1980s. Today, NASA is turning science fiction into reality. Humans now live and work in space full time on the International Space Station. Scientists are exploring potentially life-harboring worlds in our solar system, while discovering thousands of new planets orbiting distance stars. NASA continues its goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s.

  How does NASA's vision of the future mimic the world of Star Trek and where does it differ? What technologies in the Star Trek world have paved the way for real technologies being developed by NASA? This moderated discussion will be accompanied by special video content featuring both NASA and Star Trek talent.

  The panel will be moderated by Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) and the panelists will include NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren, Deputy Director of Science Communications Michelle Taller, Program Executive for Solar System Exploration Dave Lavery, Senior Technical Officer Jeffrey Sheehy, and Adam Nimoy (son of the legendary Leonard Nimoy).

• Trek Talks: Ugly Bags of Mostly Water: What Will Aliens REALLY Be Like
  Saturday, September 3rd at 12:15pm (Room 1A23)

  Andorians. Klingons. Romulans. Bolians. Look at nearly any alien in Star Trek, and they look a lot like us. But what would *real* aliens look like? And would they be as friendly as a tribble, or as aggressive as a Kzin? In this panel, real scientists will discuss real aliens: What they might look like, how they might act, and whether we should extend the hand of friendship or get all hands to battlestations.

  This Trek Talk will be hosted by Phil 'The Bad Astronomer' Plait and NASA's Bobak 'Mohawk Guy' Ferdowsi.

• Trek Talks: The Science of Exoplanets
  Saturday, September 3rd at 3:30pm (Room 1A21)

  Without beaming down an away team, astronomers have been using large telescopes on the ground and spacecraft in orbit to discover and learn more about new worlds outside of our solar system (called exoplanets). Hear about the science of finding exoplanets from NASA team members on the upcoming Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) project. Several different methods have been used to find exoplanets to date; what are they and what do they tell us about the exoplanets that we find? Learn about what kinds of planets have been discovered so far and what it may be like for away teams on those worlds. How do all of discoveries and science efforts lead to finding another Earth – like world (a M-Class planet for an away team)?

  This Trek Talk will be led by NASA's Matt Ritsko and Jeff Volosin.

• Trek Talks: The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite: NASA's Next Mission to Find Strange New Worlds
  Sunday, September 4th at 11:45am (Room 1A23)

  In Star Trek, the Enterprise and its crew visited and discovered new worlds every week outside of our solar system. Today, there are over 3,000 confirmed exoplanets, worlds around stars other than our own sun. The discovery of these new planets has brought the dreams of science fiction into science fact. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, TESS, will be NASA's next mission to continue to find and explore strange new worlds. Learn about how TESS will discover exoplanets, managing and building of the spacecraft (being the Captain!), and what the project team members hope the future holds for the next generation of exoplanet hunters.

  This Trek Talk will be led by NASA's Matt Ritsko and Jeff Volosin.

• Trek Talks: First Contact: Looking for Life in the Universe
  Sunday, September 4th at 10:30am (Room 1A23)

  Join Dan Werthimer (SETI, UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory) and Bobak Ferdowsi (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory) to discuss the search for life from the local neighborhood to the great beyond. What are the challenges in finding life, and if we're not alone, why haven't we made first contact yet?

"NASA's Trek Talks at Star Trek: Mission New York will give Fans the opportunity to be fully immersed in the fascinating ways in which Star Trek has impacted space exploration, from paving the way for new technologies, to fostering an interest in the exploring beyond Earth, and dreaming up alien life," said Lance Fensterman, Global Senior Vice President of ReedPOP.

Star Trek: Mission New York, under license by CBS Consumer Products, is the ultimate destination for Star Trek fans, filled with interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, screenings and much more. Its creation adds to a year filled with Star Trek events and experiences celebrating the franchise's milestone 50th anniversary. Star Trek: Mission New York will take place September 2-4 at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

The arrival of Star Trek: Mission New York marks the return of the Star Trek fan fest to the Big Apple. The first Star Trek convention, which helped spark the fast-growing experiential fan event industry, took place January 21-23, 1972 at the Statler Hotel – now the Hotel Pennsylvania. Originally planned for 500 guests, the event became an instant blockbuster with more than 3,000 in attendance. ReedPOP, global experts at producing and curating the world's best fan experiences, will develop a unique program that will entertain and engage thousands of Star Trek fans for a new and different stand-alone experience.

posted 08-31-2016 09:59 PM               

When "Star Trek" first aired in 1966, it expanded the viewers' imaginations about what was possible in their lifetimes. Today, many of the space-age technologies displayed on the show, like space shuttles, cell phones, and desktop computers, have already gone from science fiction to science fact. Other innovations, like warp drive, teleportation, and medical tricorders are actively in development. Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of "Star Trek" - a show that continues to inform, enrich, and inspire.

posted 09-08-2016 07:21 AM               

In recognition of Star Trek’s 50th anniversary NASA wishes the entire Star Trek family a happy anniversary. Thanks for the inspiration, Live long and prosper.

posted 09-08-2016 07:30 AM               

'Star Trek' and NASA: 50 years of fictional and factual space history crossovers

On the evening of Sept. 8, 1966, as Americans sat down to watch the first episode of a new science fiction television series, NASA was making its final preparations to launch its ninth two-man trek into "the final frontier."

The Gemini 11 mission, with Charles Conrad and Richard Gordon at the helm, was just over 12 hours from lifting off when "Star Trek" premiered on NBC. And like the opening of "The Man Trap" — and the 78 episodes of the "Original Series" that followed it, the astronauts were set to "boldly go" almost twice as far into space than any "man had gone before."

posted 09-08-2016 10:10 AM               

In honor of #StarTrek50, an Enterprise icon is used to show where station is on the world map in Mission Control!