William Shatner, or Captain Kirk as he’s known around the world, went to space last week in one of the most bizarre amalgams of fantasy and history we’re ever likely to see. It was a shallow, self-serving PR event for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, yet at the same time it WAS amazing to see Star Trek’s predictions of humanity’s future in space begin… begin… to become true. We put together this page as a nod to this surreal moment with several articles, links to Blue Origin, and the piece-de-resistance: a collection of memes from the mission. Live long and prosper!
William Shatner’s Blue Origin launch on New Shepard– Space.com
How William Shatner Turned a Flight of Fancy Into a Lyrical Pitch For the Planet– TIME
William Shatner in tears after historic space flight: ‘I’m so filled with emotion’– The Guardian
William Shatner oldest astronaut at 90 – Here’s how space tourism could affect older people– Space.com
How space researchers knew that 90-year-old William Shatner didn’t have to worry about his age– CNN
William Shatner’s Family Tried Talking Him Out of Space Flight — But He Said ‘Save Your Breath’– People
William Shatner Reacts To Seeing Earth From Space: ‘It’s So Fragile’– Video, Today Show
William Shatner fans hit out at Jeff Bezos for interrupting his emotional space speech to spray Champagne- The Independent
“To Dirty it!” On how For-Profit News Obscured William Shatner’s Climate Emergency Warning after Suborbital Flight– Informed Comment
Blue Origin
William Shatner’s unique history as Captain Kirk let all of us, in a way, ride along with him. A Blue Origin flight lasts 11 minutes, but Kirk’s memes will be with us always. Enjoy!