Scotty To Be 'Beamed Up' 127
joel_archer writes "James 'Scotty' Doohan's remains will be launched into space in accord with his last wishes. Commercial space flight operator Space Services Inc. will launch the late actor's remains into space aboard its Explorers Flight on December 6. Along for the ride will be 120 others including an unidentified astronaut and Mareta West, the astrogeologist who determined the site for the first spacecraft landing on the moon. Fans can post tributes to Doohan at the Space Services Web site. Those messages will be digitized, packed with 'Scotty' and blasted into space."
I sure hope... (Score:2)
Anyway, RIP, Mr. Doohan. You were loved.
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
The rocket's being sent as a way to make money for the private space industry. Someone has paid for Doohan's remains to be put on board as a tribute to him. So those are both good things.
Why send goatse references? Because people will be people. While it's disrespectful, there's no way to prove it was done, and no-one's going to see it anyway (unless in 50-100 years time someone decides to go
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
P.S. I didn't say it didn't matter. All I said was that it will be done, so people will have to live with it. I think the good (allowing all of his fans to send a personal message along with him) far outweigh the bad (
Re:I sure hope... (Score:1)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Federation President: Suppose you instigate a full scale war?
Colonel West: Quite frankly, Mr. President, we can clean their chronometers.
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Probably not, but if the Ancient Egyptians were right he'll have some explaining to do when he appears in the afterlife in a box crammed half-full of child porn and profantity.
Re:I sure hope... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Re:I sure hope... (Score:2)
Scene: Two aliens are flying a cargo route when the ship's onboard computer presents an analysis of the foreign object they intercepted
Alien 1: Hey, I swear I recognise that guy.
Alien 2: He's the first human we ever probed, you know, before advances in probe technology reduced their size immensely.
Alien 1: Oh yeah! I can't believe we used to carry those massive things around with us. Boy, that was one fun weekend.
Alien 2: It sure was, Greg.
Alien 1: 'Nother beer?
Alie
Re: Intergalactic porn (Score:1)
Don't you think that there are aliens in our own galaxy who are just as capable at reverse-engineering human storage media?
Assuming that our aliens are less capable than, uh, alien aliens is just being galaxist.
Re:FYI (Score:1)
Who are you? The remains of Scotty, or an Inanimate Carbon Rod?
Re:FYI (Score:2)
Re:FYI (Score:2)
Godsend Jimmy (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:5, Informative)
He had an autobiography (Score:1)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671 520563/qid=1129403831/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5334 151-6528956?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 [amazon.com]
MOD PARENT UP (Score:2)
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:1)
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:2)
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:3, Insightful)
My guess is that (at least in the US) WWII is a distant historical event, whereas anyone with a TV can see him playing Scotty at least once a week.
I'm 27. Neither of my parents were born when WWII ended. When I was in high school, WWII was taught in the same way as things that really are ancient history. There was no sense of connection to it on a personal level. Maybe if I had grown up in p
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:5, Insightful)
While actors like the one that played Spock are much more famous then "the little guys" like Doohan and Koenig (not that they're very little
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm not at all denying Doohan was a great human being; but as an actor he was typecast forever after Trek. Shatner is probably the only one who had a significant post-Trek career, and if that meant not spending so much time signing souvenirs for fanboys to sell on eBay, you shouldn't hold it against him.
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't hold him making money against him (although he IS a controversial figure when it comes to the Trek fandom, as well as an actor with what some of his co-workers have had to say in the past), I just think that those who ARE willing to put the extra effort in (regardless of the reasons) are placed a little higher in my heart.
I do find it amusing that one of the worse actors
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:1)
On the contrary, Walter Koenig is a tiny, tiny man.
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:2)
Re:Godsend Jimmy (Score:1)
Its in a large part just publicity (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:1)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:1)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:1)
You keep using that word. .
A boy broke a rare, 400 year old teacup that belonged to his master.
When he saw the master, he asked "Why does death happen?".
The master said "It is natural. Everything lives and dies."
The boy showed the broken cup and said "It was time for your cup to die".
By your measure I will soon become "perminate." I rather think, however, that despite any possible legislation to the contrary, I will become rather less "perminate" than I previously was.
The
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:2)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:2)
Unless you're trying to make a profit in Soviet Russia with a Beowulf cluster of ways to spell that word.
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:5, Insightful)
Ya mean like a tombstone? It's a memorial. Publicity is inherent in their nature.
Those ashes aren't really going into space, just low-earth orbit. .
i.e., space.
. .
I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n, but what better way to scatter a gram or seven of Jimmy's ashes upon the face of the earth Earth? That's one shooting movie star I'd like to see with my own eyes.
So long Jimmy, and thanks for all the Trek.
KFG
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Its in a large part just publicity (Score:1)
See the paragraph after the one you quote.
KFG
(activates comm link) (Score:4, Funny)
Seriously.
Re:(activates comm link) (Score:1)
Ay canna doo id cap'in
Re:(activates comm link) (Score:2)
Back on thread, his role in Trek made technical stuff interesting, and I'm thankful he helped spur that interest for me. RIP, dude.
From the CNN article.... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:3, Informative)
Bummer... why couldn't they just fire it off to some random star or something? Like say, the second star on the right?
Money. It's expensive to escape the earths gravitational pull. It's even more expensive to escape the suns gravitational pull. The escape velocity of the earth is 11.2 km/sec at the surface. The escape velocity of the sun on the earths surface is 42.1 km/sec, which is about 95,000 miles an hour. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the voyager and pioneer probes only managed to e
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:1)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
unless of course you have someone else do them for you and just stick numbers into a formula.
that always makes it easier.
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
That would actually be more expensive than being sent to another star. Remember, you're already in orbit around the Sun, moving along with the Earth. That gives you a big boost towards the energy you'd need to escape the Sun altogether.
If you want to actually send something into the Sun, you have to lose all that speed and basically drop straight down. That turns out to be a bigger job than just speeding up even more to escape complet
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:2)
Re:From the CNN article.... (Score:1)
Why on Earth do you get Space news from CNN? (Score:5, Informative)
Scotty's ashes to hit outer space [bbc.co.uk]
Re:Why on Earth do you get Space news from CNN? (Score:3, Insightful)
First, this story is a followup. If you bothered to read the story you posted, you'd see it was mentioned that the launch was scheduled for September originally. The "news" part of this news is that the company spokesperson announced this on Friday, October 14.
Second, this isn't a CNN story - it's a Reuters wire story. CNN is just carrying it.
Sometimes news gets new again...just because something is mentioned once doesn't mean new things don't happen.
Stupid Idea (Score:4, Insightful)
Why waste all that money, time and effort putting *dead people* into orbit so they can float around for a while being a space junk hazard?
As Mr Spock would say...
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:1)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:2)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:1)
Sure, compared to kick-ass NASA/ESA missions this is rather insignificant, but it's not really a waste of money. Especially since some of the money will go back to the people currently creating the technology that will let me tour Mars in 60 years.
Oh, also, putting one's remains into space is totally awesome.
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:1)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:2)
Actually, you will be cremated first. Good luck on resuscitating that!
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:1)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:2)
Re:Stupid Idea (Score:1)
Stylish send off (Score:3, Funny)
As if there was not enough crap in space (Score:3, Insightful)
Knowing the damage one of those capsule would cause to a satellite, it's like allowing people to put their tombstones on the highway ...
Re:As if there was not enough crap in space (Score:1, Informative)
Re:As if there was not enough crap in space (Score:2)
Why bother pointing this out if it's not a problem? Because someone else was likely to (and perhaps give it a more negative spin).
Re:As if there was not enough crap in space (Score:1)
A Fitting Fortune (Cookie) (Score:5, Funny)
light bulb?
A: Seven. Scotty has to report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in
the Engineering Section is getting dim, at which point Kirk will send
Bones to pronounce the bulb dead (although he'll immediately claim
that he's a doctor, not an electrician). Scotty, after checking
around, realizes that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains
that he "canna" see in the dark. Kirk will make an emergency stop at
the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb
from the natives, who, are friendly, but seem to be hiding something.
Kirk, Spock, Bones, Yeoman Rand and two red shirt security officers
beam down to the planet, where the two security officers are promply
killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured.
As something begins to develop between the Captain and Yeoman Rand,
Scotty, back in orbit, is attacked by a Klingon destroyer and must
warp out of orbit. Although badly outgunned, he cripples the Klingon
and races back to the planet in order to rescue Kirk et. al. who have
just saved the natives' from an awful fate and, as a reward, been
given all light bulbs they can carry. The new bulb is then inserted
and the Enterprise continues on its five year mission.
- fortune-mod
May the great actor rest in peace.
Re:A Fitting Fortune (Cookie) (Score:5, Funny)
Q: How many members of the original Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?
A:
Captain's Log, Stardate 5187.8. Having cleared up the diplomatic crisis on Politico, I've managed to obtain a leave for my ship and crew. They are looking forward to this much needed vacation.
(Scene: The Bridge)
Kirk: Mr. Sulu, set course for the planet Luxuria.
Sulu: Yes, sir!
(Suddenly, the ship is rocked by a violent explosion which causes everyone to fall out of their chairs.)
Kirk: Mr. Chekov, report on all Klingon ships in the area.
Chekov: Negative, keptin. Sensors show no enemy wessel in sight.
Kirk: Your analysis, Mr. Spock.
Spock: I assure you, Captain, I am not operating under the influence of illicit mind-altering substances. However, if you think it necessary, regulations do stipulate that--
Kirk: I meant your analysis of the current situation.
Spock: My apologies, Captain. I am still sometimes unable to compensate for the vagaries of human enunciation. It would appear, Captain, that a visional catalyst source has malfunctioned to the critical overload stage. (Noticing Kirk's blank stare, he shakes his head almost imperceptably.) To rephrase my statement into what I believe you humans call `the vernacular': a light bulb blew in Engineering.
Kirk: Sulu, you have the Bridge. Spock, come with me.
(Scene: Engineering. A medical team is dragging off an injured engineer in a red shirt. Scotty is surveying the damage and shaking his head. He spots Kirk and Spock.)
Scotty: Ca'en, sair, seen a' th' bulb ha' burn oot, I kinna see to oper'a' me engines!
(Kirk smiles and nods.)
Kirk (whispering to Spock): What did he say?
Spock: I believe, Captain, that Mr. Scott wishes to register a complaint to the effect that there is insufficient illumination to perform the duties requisite in his capacity as Chief Engineer.
Kirk: Oh. Well, Scotty, get a spare from storage.
Spock: I fear such action would be inappropriate, Captain. Starfleet Regulation 171.34c requires us to travel with a full complement of spare parts at all times. If we were to remove a bulb from storage, then we would not have a full complement, and hence be in direct violation.
Kirk: Damn the regulations, Spock, I've got a ship with 430 people aboard to think of! At least I think there are 430; come to think of it, I've never actually seen more than a couple dozen. Oh well, where is the nearest source of light bulbs?
Spock: I believe the planet Luminos satisfies the specified parameters.
Kirk: Scotty, do we have enough power to make it to Luminos?
Scotty: Ach, I dinna righ'ly ken, Ca'en; we're runnin' a wee bit low. However, if we go strai' thar and dinna hurry, I thin' we migh' possibly duit.
Kirk: Thank you, Scotty. Spock?
Spock: Mr. Scott has formulated the opinion that there is insufficient data for complete analysis; current fuel capacity is scarcely in excess of minimal standards. However, probability dictates our vessel has the capability to sustain the journey under the following two constraints: a direct course must be set and maintained throughout and the ship's velocity must satisfy a maximality condition.
Kirk: Then I'm afraid our little pleasure trip will have to wait.
(Scene: The Bridge. Sulu and Chekov are engaged in conversation.)
Sulu: I think it was Thomas Edison.
Chekov: No, you are wrong; the light bulb is a Russian inwention.
(Kirk and Spock enter.)
Kirk: Mr. Sulu, set a direct course for the planet Luminos.
Sulu (startled): But, Captain, that'll take us straight through the Romulan Neutral Zone!
Kirk: It's a risk we'
Re:A Fitting Fortune (Cookie) (Score:2)
Re:A Fitting Fortune (Cookie) (Score:1)
Laughed out loud a couple times.
Re:A Fitting Fortune (Cookie) (Score:1)
This is not good.. (Score:1, Interesting)
Chill out. (Score:3, Insightful)
Am I the only one... (Score:2, Funny)
I've never watched Star Trek (*turns in geek card*), but it seems fitting.
Why do I care? (Score:5, Insightful)
Why is it that the news of James' passing makes me think of this, here in the wee hours of the morning? I guess it's not hard to deconstruct... I think we'd all like to be the one who worked behind the scenes, the one who made things possible but never got the credit for it. It's a romantic thought that is powerful in me...
With the most reverent "I'm givin' 'er all she's got, Captain!",
- Leo
Re:Why do I care? (Score:1)
Some editing required (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah. Just replace "Scotty" with "Pile of ashes". and "Beamed up" with "rocket launched" and we'll have an title that reflects reality.
Re:Some editing required (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Some editing required (Score:2)
I was disappointed as well. I completely expected an article about how Scotty has been brought back to life and then, using a secretly developed teleportation system, scientists are going to beam him into the vacuum of space as part of a sick prank.
Re:Some editing required (Score:1)
Digitize messages? (Score:2)
Re:Digitize messages? (Score:2)
It's a trap! (Score:1)
Scotty's the man (Score:5, Interesting)
The thing that impressed me the most about him was that he didn't seem to have a self-inflated "I'm-an-American-Icon" attitude. He had a very gentle "grandfather" like attitude and spoke with a soft voice. James Doohan is the man.
This is dangerous and foolish (Score:2, Insightful)
Most recent shuttle launch, part of the voyage's purpose is diverted to make a repair, presumably because of more debris damage.
Most recently, a private firm is allowed to launch a bunch of shit into orbit to make more debris danger and
And so ... (Score:1)
Anyway, RIP Scotty
Funny (Score:2, Funny)
What to do with my ashes? (Score:1)
I spend some time thinking about doing something special with my ashes if I chose cremation. A lot of people seem to lik
Re:What to do with my ashes? (Score:2)
I don't know if you poked around the Space Services site much, but their prices are available online [memorialspaceflights.com].
Here's the breakdown:
$995 -
its new story because... (Score:1)
First spacecraft? (Score:1, Interesting)
And the launch coordinator says... (Score:1)
Also aboard - Michael Brown (Score:2)
Technician 2 "Not this one, he keeps banging on his container."
Technician 1 "It's just your imagination."
Technician 2 "No really go look, it's the big one"
Technician 1 Looks at large 7x3 cansister, inscription reads;
'From the Citizens of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.'
Michael Brown, Former FEMA director.
Technician 1, thinks for a bit and turns to Technician 2.
"If he doesn't like
Does the service create orbital debris pollution? (Score:2)
Space Services' spacecraft is carefully designed so as not to create orbital debris. Our spacecraft stays permanently attached to a rocket stage that orbits until it harmlessly re-enters and is completely consumed by Earth's atmosphere - blazing like a shooting star in final tribute to the passengers aboard.
For missions which are launched aboard a commercially purchased launcher, the Office of Commercial Space Transportation
It's "aye" fool (Score:2)