# \[WM Shatner\] I'm a Backdoor Spaceman!\[/WS\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 22, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370 "2005-10-22T01:14:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/1 "2005-10-22T01:14:24Z")
Actually not Shatner, but one of the designers of [NASA’s new spacesuit.](http://www.astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1748&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0) > [@](#): > > People have asked me if I get claustrophobic in suits. Generally I don’t, but getting into the old I-suit was never something I enjoyed doing. You had to get one arm going, and then the second arm, and then close your eyes and push like hell and hope when it’s all done there’s a hand at each end of the arm and there’s a head sticking out of the helmet connection. With a rear-entry suit, there’s a certain amount of contortion you have to go through to get in, but it’s a lot easier on the body. **So I’m a big fan of the rear-entry suit.** (emphasis mine) Yeah, I know, it’s a childish joke, but it falls under the “WTF are you thinking calling it that?” category for me. I just can’t imagine some the Apollo era astronauts talking about a “rear entry suit,” really wouldn’t match their macho test pilot image. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/2 "2005-10-22T01:51:21Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > I just can’t imagine some the Apollo era astronauts talking about a “rear entry suit,” really wouldn’t match their macho test pilot image. Huh? The Apollo program is _named_ after the very gayest of the Greek gods, for crying out loud. Apollo astronauts were capable of talking about how eager they were to return to the homosphere with a straight face – I’m sure they wouldn’t have blinked at “rear entry suits.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/3 "2005-10-22T01:54:23Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Huh? The Apollo program is _named_ after the very gayest of the Greek gods, for crying out loud. Apollo astronauts were capable of talking about how eager they were to return to the homosphere with a straight face – I’m sure they wouldn’t have blinked at “rear entry suits.” 😃 I dunno, Hermes has that whole flower delivery business thing going for him. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/4 "2005-10-22T02:36:47Z")
I know you’re kidding, but Hermes was strictly het. Apollo, on the other hand, had plenty of hot gay sex. _wanders off whistling Neil Innes_ \*When you’re tough, you’re very fit Your voice is rough, it sounds like grit You are so strong, and proud of it Thanks to Mr. Apollo Follow Mr. Apollo Everybody knows That a healthy body makes a health mind…\* ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/5 "2005-10-22T02:39:30Z")
Actually, I’m not. Every portrayal I’ve seen of Hermes in film has him as been a little “light in the sandals” if you know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2005, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wm-shatner-im-a-backdoor-spaceman-ws/327370/6 "2005-10-22T02:42:48Z")
[oblivious to double entendre]I have a front entry drysuit, and yes, sometimes it gets a bit freaky when trying to get in or out of it – talk about feeling trapped! I’d much rather have a rear entry, only then I would require assistance zipping it up.[/oblivious to double entendre]