TO OLDLY GO
Star Trek legend William Shatner is to be launched into space – and will become the oldest astronaut ever
STAR Trek actor William Shatner is to be launched into space — and will become the world’s oldest astronaut.
The 90-year-old, who played Captain James T Kirk in the sci-fi series, will blast off for real next week on billionaire Jeff Bezos’ willy-shaped rocket.
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Shatner, who famously said “to boldly go where no man has gone before” at the start of each episode, revealed yesterday: “I’ve heard about space for a long time now.
"I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle.”
The Canadian added: “I’m going to be a ‘rocket man’!”
He will climb aboard the New Shepard rocket from Blue Origin — the space company founded by Bezos, the world’s richest man.
The Amazon founder, 57, was launched into space on it in July — but the trip was ridiculed as his vessel resembled a giant penis.
Shatner will blast off with three other crew members at West Texas on October 12 for a ten-minute flight.
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He is also reportedly making a documentary about his journey into space.
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner, also a writer, director and singer, has enjoyed a 60-year career in Hollywood.
Shatner first starred as Captain Kirk in Star Trek in 1966 alongside Leonard Nimoy as his Vulcan sidekick Spock.
The show — following the interstellar adventures of the Starship Enterprise — catapulted Shatner into superstardom before its cancellation in 1969.
He returned to star in seven of the subsequent movies, starting in 1979 with Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Blue Origin’s rocket first flew off on July 20 with Bezos, his brother Mark, 51, Dutch teenager Oliver Daemen, 18, and former test pilot Wally Funk, 82.
They were propelled 66 miles above the earth in a ten-minute, ten-second trip. At the time, Funk became the oldest person to fly into space.
Broadcaster Dan Katz said: “Congrats to Jeff Bezos on his successful rocket launch. And also for totally not overcompensating for something.”
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Star Trek legend William Shatner takes space quiz with ex-astronaut Julie Payette
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