Hello - I am sure many here have seen this; though I haven't found any connecting link. It is a conversation between Commander of the International Space Station, Colonel Christopher Hadfield; CSA, and Captain of the United Federation of Planets' deep-space survey cruiser U.S.S. Enterprise; Captain James T. Kirk; Starfleet.
On Feb. 7 2013; ISS commander Colonel Chris Hadfield engaged in a radio linkup with Montreal native and legendary actor William Shatner. The questions and answers are almost superfluous; though extremely engaging and entertaining. What matters is the great joy, intelligence and mutual admiration both men shared.
You can say what you will of good ol' Bill Shatner - his acting ability and style has been the subject of humour for 40 years - but even the most determined detractor must admit that both he and his most recognizeable character - James T. Kirk - had a profound impact on the development of modern science fiction.
And possibly much more - many of the awestruck children that glued themselves to the TV in 1967 are veteran scientists and engineers now; the desire and adventure of space focused their will; driving them into an incredibly difficult career path. It is possible that Star Trek made a signifigant difference in the development of modern space-flight.
Unlikely; I admit - but possible. The young engineers that craft beautiful equations and theories today may well also remember the transporters and phaser weapons of the 1960's - perhaps in the gritty world of real-life rocketry some room for romantic dreaming is allowed.
But on Feb. 7; the Commander of the International Space Station chatted with the Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Hadfield loves Kirk as the Captain of his boyhood; the inspiration for his dreams of space. Shatner loves Hadfield for his courage, his intelligence and his incredible star power.
Nor is this mere fluff; Shatner asks Hadfield some very pointed and interesting questions - the questions normal people would ask and media events normally avoid. Chris has to think carefully and choose his words before replying; some of the questions Bill poses are tough. But Chris answers with honesty and connsumate skill - with the possible exception of Dr. Musgrave I doubt there's ever been such a competent, delightful and engaging ambassador for NASA as Col. Hadfield.
Two men, masters of their respective fields having a friendly chat - while we mere mortals can only watch and sigh in wistful admiration.
The video is here.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
On Feb. 7 2013; ISS commander Colonel Chris Hadfield engaged in a radio linkup with Montreal native and legendary actor William Shatner. The questions and answers are almost superfluous; though extremely engaging and entertaining. What matters is the great joy, intelligence and mutual admiration both men shared.
You can say what you will of good ol' Bill Shatner - his acting ability and style has been the subject of humour for 40 years - but even the most determined detractor must admit that both he and his most recognizeable character - James T. Kirk - had a profound impact on the development of modern science fiction.
And possibly much more - many of the awestruck children that glued themselves to the TV in 1967 are veteran scientists and engineers now; the desire and adventure of space focused their will; driving them into an incredibly difficult career path. It is possible that Star Trek made a signifigant difference in the development of modern space-flight.
Unlikely; I admit - but possible. The young engineers that craft beautiful equations and theories today may well also remember the transporters and phaser weapons of the 1960's - perhaps in the gritty world of real-life rocketry some room for romantic dreaming is allowed.
But on Feb. 7; the Commander of the International Space Station chatted with the Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Hadfield loves Kirk as the Captain of his boyhood; the inspiration for his dreams of space. Shatner loves Hadfield for his courage, his intelligence and his incredible star power.
Nor is this mere fluff; Shatner asks Hadfield some very pointed and interesting questions - the questions normal people would ask and media events normally avoid. Chris has to think carefully and choose his words before replying; some of the questions Bill poses are tough. But Chris answers with honesty and connsumate skill - with the possible exception of Dr. Musgrave I doubt there's ever been such a competent, delightful and engaging ambassador for NASA as Col. Hadfield.
Two men, masters of their respective fields having a friendly chat - while we mere mortals can only watch and sigh in wistful admiration.
The video is here.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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