William Shatner, the actor best known for his role
as Captain James T. Kirk, skipper of the Enterprise
in the original Star Trek TV series and movies, has
ventured into outer space many times in this renown
franchise. Now, at the age of 90 (!) no less, Shatner
has taken a trip into that boundless place of legends
and unforgettable tales for real, becoming quite the
legend himself as among other things being the oldest
man in space.
Shatner made the trip in conjunction with Jeff Bezos,
founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, the latter a private
space company that planned and arranged the trip.
A deeply moved and very grateful Shatner told the
multi-billionaire entrepreneur "What you have given
me is the most profound experience ... I'm so filled
with emotion about what just happened ... it's extra-
ordinary, extraordinary. I hope I never recover from this."
This adventure may never have happened for the veteran
actor if all space exploration were still being run by the
government via NASA; now such efforts are being
accomplished by private entrepreneurs such as Bezos
(who also happens to be one of the wealthiest people on
the planet), along with Richard Branson and Elon Musk.
Less hurdles to clear this way. And get this, Bezos says
that he was partly inspired to found Blue Origin by
"Star Trek", which he enthusiastically watched as a boy.
This monumental venture made two journeys: a private
sector originated flight from Earth into outer space,
and a flight from science fiction adventure into real life.
These people have proved beyond all doubt that dreams
really can and do come true. Especially when one lives
in a country where you can be whatever you want to be,
do whatever you want to do, and accomplish whatever
you want to accomplish provided that you have the dream,
the desire, the courage and the will. Congratulations to
William Shatner, his shipmates, and to Jeff Bezos.
MEM
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