Legendary award-winning actor William Shatner is known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the popular science fiction series Star Trek. His character is the captain of a 23rd-century starship that travels in space and explores different planets. But now, as it turns out, the actor himself will actually go to space for real.
A while ago, it was reported by TMZ that Shatner is going to take part in Blue Origin's next spaceflight and the mission will be filmed for a documentary. Now, Jeff Bezos' sub-orbital spaceflight services company has confirmed that the actor will indeed be part of its next spaceflight which is set to take place this coming October 12. At the age of 90, he will become the oldest man ever to fly to space.
According to CNBC's report, the NS-18 flight will last around 10 minutes from liftoff to landing back to Earth. The reusable rocket will carry the capsule up past the U.S. boundary of space at 80 kilometers altitude, with the spacecraft and crew floating in microgravity for a couple of minutes before they return to land under a set of parachutes.
Besides Shatner, also part of the flight are Blue Origin's vice president of mission and flight operations Audrey Powers, Planet Labs co-founder Chris Boshuizen, and Medidata co-founder Glen de Vries. The company will host a live telecast of the mission where we can witness the crew's 10-minute flight.
Also Read: William Shatner Novel TekWar to Be Adapted Into Adult Animated Series
It is quite astonishing that Shatner, who has been known in his entire career for playing a starship captain, will actually go to space and become the oldest man to do so. It is just exciting that he will be exploring the final frontier for real and we wish him nothing but the best of luck for his upcoming journey. It is truly an example of reality mimicking art in some ways and who knew that we would actually get to see it happen.
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