How an Astronaut met Star Trek Alumni from Space
Chris Hadfield is a Canadian astronaut and the first Canadian to walk in space. A former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, Hadfield has flown two space shuttle missions and served as capsule communicator for both Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) expeditions. Hadfield will become the first Canadian to command the ISS when the crew of Expedition 34 departs and Expedition 35 begins.
On January 3, 2013, William Shatner, a Canadian actor best known for his role as Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, opened up a hailing frequency to Hadfield when he asked via Twitter: “Are you tweeting from space? MBB.”
Hadfield’s response would engage a Starfleet and energize the Twitterverse. Captured in the gallery below, by the Canadian Space Agency, are Hadfield’s exchanges with Star Trek alumni, as well as a cameo from one very well-respected, and very real, moon walker…
[via The Canadian Space Agency]
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MBB = My best, Bill
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A “redshirt” is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of the Star Trek television series (1966–69), from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security personnel who frequently die during episodes. Analysis of the original Star Trek episodes shows that of the 59 crew members killed in the series, 43 (73%) were wearing red shirts.
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LLAP = Live long and prosper
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