Twin Cities ‘Star Trek’ fan says actor William Shatner going into space is an inspiration
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One of the world’s most prominent sci-fi figures blasted into space Wednesday.
Actor William Shatner — known to "Star Trek" fans as Captain Kirk — took a ride on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, becoming the oldest man in space at the age of 90.
Mary Pucel of St. Anthony is the president of a Minnesota "Star Trek" fan club.
Pucel has met Shatner several times over the years. Pucel believes what Shatner is accomplishing at his age can be an inspiration.
"The fact that William Shatner went, who we’ve been watching all these years, it’s kind of Captain Kirk going up, you know. Pretty neat." Pucel said. "… He was clearly touched by the moment and emotionally impacted. He went into space so we can go sometime."
In this image provided by Blue Origin, William Shatner exits the Blue Origin capsule as he is greeted by Jeff Bezos near Van Horn, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. The “Star Trek” actor and three fellow passengers hurtled to an altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers) over the West Texas desert in the fully automated capsule, then safely parachuted back to Earth in a flight that lasted just over 10 minutes.[Blue Origin via AP]
Pucel wishes the late actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on "Star Trek," could have gone into space with Shatner.