When the Space Shuttle Enterprise made its final landing at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, it was greeted by a special guest: Leonard Nimoy.
The Star Trek actor and director gave an emotional speech to welcome the spaceship, which bears the same name as the starship that was home to Nimoy's character, Mr. Spock. Saying that seeing Enterprise again was a "reunion" for him, he recounted the story of how the NASA orbiter got its name.
Back in the 1970s, when plans for the Space Shuttle program were progressing toward building prototype ships, the first ship was supposed to be named Constitution. However, fans of the original Star Trek started a letter-writing campaign to President Ford, asking him to change the name to Enterprise.
He did, or rather, he directed NASA to do so. Then, in a gala dedication ceremony on Sept. 17, 1976, which included Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and most of the original cast as guests, Enterprise was officially unveiled at Rockwell's plant in Palmdale, Calif.
Designed as a test vehicle, Enterprise sadly never flew in space. It lacked many key systems (such as main engines) for journeys to space, although the design made it possible to add those later. In 1986, after the Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed, NASA briefly considered refitting Enterprise for spaceflight, but it opted instead to construct Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Enterprise has made its final flight, and Nimoy was once again present — seeming to look at it with deep emotion at one point (you can see that moment in pic No. 4 in the gallery below). While that may not have been in keeping with his Star Trek alter ego, his final words to Enterprise as it prepared for its permanent exhibit at New York's Intrepid museum were more characteristic of Mr. Spock: "Live long and prosper."
Enterprise treats the crowd at John F. Kennedy Airport to a low-and-slow fly-by.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Enterprise swings around for a landing after her fly-by at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Enterprise arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport mounted aboard a specially modified Boeing 747.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Leonard Nimoy looks on as Enterprise taxis in the distance.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
NASA pilots flew the American flag in celebration of Enterprise's arrival.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Here's the Space Shuttle Enterprise aboard the 747 face-on.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Another shot of the two aircraft.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Sen. Charles Schumer and Star Trek's Mr. Spock were on hand for the celebration of Enterprise's arrival in New York City.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Enterprise treats the crowd at John F. Kennedy Airport to a low-and-slow fly-by.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Enterprise swings around for a landing after her fly-by at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Enterprise arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport mounted aboard a specially modified Boeing 747.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Leonard Nimoy looks on as Enterprise taxis in the distance.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
NASA pilots flew the American flag in celebration of Enterprise's arrival.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Here's the Space Shuttle Enterprise aboard the 747 face-on.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Another shot of the two aircraft.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
Sen. Charles Schumer and Star Trek's Mr. Spock were on hand for the celebration of Enterprise's arrival in New York City.
Image Credit: Alex Fitzpatrick
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario