# William Shatner heads off to the final frontier (space, not death) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** star-trek-paramount\ **Created:** [October 4, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868 "2021-10-04T15:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/122 "2021-10-13T17:29:15Z")
I’m glad everything went smoothly. I was a bit concerned _The Shat_ would hit the fan. 😉 We are seeing a new era in space research. Space tourism might be the next big thing. It’ll take awhile to get the costs affordable. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/123 "2021-10-13T18:52:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I was a bit concerned _The Shat_ would hit the fan. 😉 That was Buzz, and I don’t think it was a fan. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/124 "2021-10-13T19:05:01Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Ok, Elon, now is the time, send Avery Brooks to the ISS. Yes! DS9 is my favorite Star Trek series. Getting Sisko to his station would be really cool 😀. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/125 "2021-10-13T20:28:44Z")
The Mercury astronauts were truly doing something no one had done before. They were contributing to research just by having their bodies wired up and seeing how they’d react to an alien environment, both mentally and physically. While they could control the motions of their spacecraft, they were not encouraged to do so because of the limited fuel supply. They also had to follow a very strict regimen laid out in advance The armed forces actually issue Astronaut wings to their personnel who qualify. I wonder if any of the crew on these commercial flights are wired up at all. Do they still need to record biometric data at this stage of the game? I would recommend reading _ **The Right Stuff** _ to anyone interested in the Mercury program. There was a lot of stuff going on inside the astronaut community that was never made public in the early '60s. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/126 "2021-10-13T21:19:51Z")
Jerry Pournelle used to tell stories about his stint heading up the Human Factors Laboratory and the things they had the astronauts and pilots do and some of the things they’d requisition in trying to design the perfect space helmet. (5 human spines. Recently deceased. No abnormalities. No salvage value.) Shatner did it in his shirtsleeves. How far we have come. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/127 "2021-10-13T21:36:42Z")
I get that Jeff Bezos isn’t a very popular figure but it is a bit sad to me that some people are using that as a cudgel to knock this trip. The usual stuff about billionaires using space as a new play thing while there is horrible suffering here on Earth. I get it. I also get having a 90 year old go to space because he played an iconic sci-fi character a long time ago is a gimmick but it’s a cool gimmick. Bezos, Elon Musk, Richard Branson and anyone else who has the money will keep this venture going so if they’re going to do it then at least be happy that on this occasion it is a space tourist who has some inspiring qualities like Shatner did for a generation of a space enthusiasts. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/128 "2021-10-13T22:21:58Z")
I just watched the playback and listened to Bill after he came back. He talked to Jeff Bezos for awhile and honestly, it was probably the most moved I’ve ever been watching Shatner in anything. It was really powerful. I hope that my kids or grandkids can maybe even take trips like this one day. It really must have been amazing to see how quickly we go from earth----\>space. I loved it. If I was a Star Trek actor, I’d be queuing up as well. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/129 "2021-10-13T23:02:43Z")
Several folks complained that Bezos did the champagne spray before Shatner was done talking (I agree fairly well) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/130 "2021-10-13T23:18:51Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Several folks complained that Bezos did the champagne spray before Shatner was done talking (I agree fairly well) The whole thing was awkward enough that I kind of loved it. Bezos left him standing there and came back. I think he did a good job listening once he finished that champagne thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/131 "2021-10-14T00:06:25Z")
Who is the younger lady that came up and hugged Shatner during the celebration? Bezos current girlfriend? Shatners? I have no idea who that is. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/132 "2021-10-14T00:11:59Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Who is the younger lady that came up and hugged Shatner during the celebration? Bezos current girlfriend? Shatners? Is this her? If so, it’s Bezos’s girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez. [https://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/full/public/2021/07/16/jeff-bezos-and-his-girlfriend-lauren-sanchez-pose.jpg](https://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/full/public/2021/07/16/jeff-bezos-and-his-girlfriend-lauren-sanchez-pose.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/133 "2021-10-14T00:23:47Z")
I agree it is cool that a Starship Captain went into space. Shatner gets around really well for 90. Bezos took a risk that payed off. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/134 "2021-10-14T00:34:52Z")
Goin’ up in the penis in the sky, That’s all I got. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/135 "2021-10-14T02:33:04Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The Russians sent a producer and a hot actress up recently. > Ok, Elon, now is the time, send Avery Brooks to the ISS. It would be really neat (at least in my opinion) to do it in chronological order, which means that Patrick Stewart should be next. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/136 "2021-10-14T02:44:23Z")
Did Shatner pay to go or did they send him for promotion? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/137 "2021-10-14T02:50:48Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I agree it is cool that a Starship Captain went into space. > > Shatner gets around really well for 90. Bezos took a risk that payed off. One thing that impressed me was that Shatner (and the others) had to demonstrate the ability to run quickly down all of those stairs in case of emergency. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Did Shatner pay to go or did they send him for promotion? They comped his flight. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/138 "2021-10-14T02:57:06Z")
Shatner left the Earth in a giant penis, but as promised re-entered the atmosphere with just the tip. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/139 "2021-10-14T08:12:00Z")
The woman he left his wife for and God, I hope this is just a very unflattering picture. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/140 "2021-10-14T12:20:05Z")
I thought he was going to hug Bezos and cling on to him for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/141 "2021-10-14T12:37:27Z")
I actually looked, and no, that face wasn’t pasted from a botched plastic surgery site. That’s pretty much her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868.md?page=8)