 |
| NASA Headquarters in Washington DC [FILE PHOTO] |
Washington: June Lockhart, William Shatner and Wil Wheaton are the
latest entertainment icons featured in new public service announcements that
highlight how some of NASA's outstanding accomplishments in space are used to
improve our life on Earth.
Spanning generations
of silver screen and television portrayals of humanity's exploration of space,
the accomplished actors talk about how science fiction has become science fact,
resulting in new commercial products and services that are tangible returns on
investments in space technology. Much of the technology we rely on daily was
developed by NASA for space exploration and then adapted or enhanced for use
here on Earth. This includes many technologies used in schools, homes, cars, computers
and American industry.
"It's an honor
to have such talented space entertainment legends donate their time to voice
support for the spinoff benefits NASA brings to the nation and the world,"
said NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
"As we turn science fiction concepts into real technologies for use in
NASA missions, we're constantly creating 'spinoffs' -- commercialized products
and services that have practical, down-to-Earth applications of immediate benefit
to the public."
The new videos are
the latest in a series of celebrity educational videos aimed at increasing
public awareness of the return on investment in space technology while
encouraging the next generation of explorers to pursue careers in science, technology,
education and mathematics.