Yeah, but, that lightsaber is already in space, remember? He dropped it in Bespin when he was fighting Darth Vader.

While this is all very cute, it would also be nice to see more stories from NASA regarding the actual work they do picked up by the mainstream media in order to gain more attention to what they do.

A mocked up weapon in carry on? The NTSA will have fits.

Jack

What, no Leia in her slave outfit?! All they need to do now is paint the likeness of Yoda on the outside of the shuttle. Might as well go all out right? Like Yoda said "Do or do not. There is no try" ^^

You know what else would actually be pretty cool? When they unveil the replacement for the aging space shuttles, they just have to dub the first one 'Millennium Falcon'. There's been a shuttle named for the Enterprise, so why not?

I wonder how much this thing is going to bw worth when it returns from space?
If Gus Grissom really took a roll of dimes up, I wonder how much one of those would fetch?

I sympathise with the NASA scientists presumably forced to go along with these stupid stunts to keep the NASA public relations departments happy. It is a sad reflection on our society that we seem to be unable to support science without making it into some sort of amusment park show.

It seems like quite an honor to bestow upon a Graflex flash gun, some calculator parts and an old windshield wiper.

A single Lightsaber wouldn't bring too much entertainment. Now, if Darth Vader's weapon could be brought along, the crew might neglect their orders and recreate the epic battles of Star Wars. It'd definitely be fun to watch, though.

Actually the name Enterprise for ships has been in use since the 1700's. There currently have been 14 Enterprises in the British fleet and 8 in the US Fleet. The Enterprise space shuttle is the only real spacecraft to bear the name until the Virgin Galactic VSS Enterprise takes flight sometime in late 2007 or 2008. Thus the USS Enterprises from Star Trek are name after these great vessels (or Wehsels if you're Chekov).

That is so cute!!!

Stimulating the minds of american youth with the combination of space fantasy and space reality is a great idea. If you ask most of the professionals that work for nasa today im shure some would tell you that they were inspired by the classic space fantasy shows and comics.

Very true Patrick, I stand corrected. Still, I'd be surprised if the naming of the Space Shuttle Enterprise wasn't, at least, a symbolic nod to the good ol' NCC-1701.

Homie Bear, Edmonton

"Yeah, but, that lightsaber is already in space, remember? He dropped it in Bespin when he was fighting Darth Vader."

That's true isn't it? I wonder what kind of scheme NASA's hatched... first they replicate the Lightsabre and send it into space... what's next? Darth's helmet?

Only kidding. I actually find this quite neat.

As a once avid fan of Star Wars who now severely despises Lucas for over commercializing the subject, I think the only thing that will be generated by the lightsaber stunt is an all out fanboy/fangirl auction war for the right to own said lightsaber. You want to really catch the imagination of today's youngsters with a NASA commercial ploy? Decorate one of the shuttles with a Pokemon motif like they did with that 747, rename it Pikachu and launch that sucker. That'll do it. Star Wars is a tired old hat. Anime is the future.

Maybe they could take George Lucas into space... and leave him there. The movie-going public would be better off.

Claudio, you are correct. The original cast was in attendance when the Enterprise was commissioned. It was also a publicity opportunity, helped that there was a history to the name. Now, I'm not sure how Gene choose the name in the first place for the show, probably because of the history. So full circle in way...

:You want to really catch the imagination of today's youngsters with a NASA commercial ploy? Decorate one of the shuttles with a Pokemon motif like they did with that 747, rename it Pikachu and launch that sucker. That'll do it. Star Wars is a tired old hat. Anime is the future.:

PIKAROCKET ARE GO!

Carolyn: LOL PIKACHU ARE GO

Congrats on making me laugh so hard I sucked a piece of jalapeno potato chip I was eating into the back of my nose which is burning a hole in my head

Oh my God, are you okay? I'm really sorry!! *dying of laughter right now, but is genuinely apologetic* IT's just... Thunder Birds... Pikachu's an electric mouse... Thunder Mouse... Rocket... Pikachu are Go. IT just fit so well. XD

Carolyn: LOL PIKACHU ARE GO
Bill: GRAAGGHA SNOOOORK UWAAAGH!

Congrats on making me laugh so hard I choked on my green apple for about five minutes. I still can't see through my tears of laughter and relief at being able to breathe again. (seriously, thumbs up to both of you)

Homie is right, along with his hand, Luke's lightsabre will always be in the clouds.

Just imagine seeing someone's hand hit the windshield of your cruiser preceeded by a lightsabre. LOL

And I'd like to see what Team Rocket's rebuttal would be to the Pikarocket. Perhaps they'll finally take a hint and stop stealing Pokemon from people... Although I wouldn't be surprised to see the entire Team holding onto the pikarocket as it launches into space... before they all get incinerated by the atmosphere...Atmosmon go!

Am I the only one here mourning the death of that Jalapeno chip?... Poor Chippy