Star Trek’s popularity influenced NASA and this is how it inspired future astronauts

Since its inception in 1966, Star Trek has inspired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts who believed in Gene Roddenberry’s vision of space exploration. Following NASA’s first crewed mission to the moon on Apollo 11 in 1969, the new generation was kindled by the idea of ‘to boldly go where no man has gone before!’

After Star Trek: The Original series was cancelled in 1969, the show’s syndication across the globe generated quite a lot of buzz. This led to the Star Trek franchise exploring new horizons as NASA looked at expanding space research.

Star Trek and NASA influenced each other as we saw more people show interest in the U.S. space program. Star Trek fans even named NASA’s first space shuttle Enterprise, taking a cue from Captain Kirk’s legendary space vessel, the USS Enterprise.

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Star Trek’s influence on space exploration

Though during its first run, Star Trek was on the air only for three years, it resulted in inspiring generations. The show brought forth the importance of diversity and equality in the field of science. In 1966, when Star Trek premiered its first episode, ‘The Man Trap,' NASA was planning to launch the Gemini 11, a crewed 3-day spaceflight mission.

The American audiences at home were receptive to the idea of space exploration, which was a novel concept then. At the time, diversity was not common on television, but Star Trek pushed the boundaries with an African American woman (Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura) and an Asian American (George Takei played Hikaru Sulu) aboard the USS Enterprise. However, the exorbitant budget and the dwindling ratings ended the show’s run in June 1969. A month later, Apollo 11 landed on the moon.

As the world embraced space exploration, Star Trek discovered new fans across the globe thanks to syndication. The term ‘trekkies’ was born to address the loyal fans of the show. Star Trek came roaring back to the screen with movies and television shows, which garnered much success.

In 1976, when NASA announced that the first space shuttle orbiter would be called Constitution, trekkies wrote numerous letters to the organization to name the orbiter Enterprise instead. The outpouring surprised President Gerald R. Ford, and the name was changed. NASA hosted a ceremony for the launch of the orbiter, which was attended by Roddenberry and several of the cast members.

The Earth observation facility for the space station is known as the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF). In the facility’s patch underneath ‘WORF,' the name is written in Klingon, a fictional language from the Star Trek universe. The name is inspired by the Klingon officer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

NASA astronauts have also donned Star Trek uniforms through the years to show their admiration for the celebrated franchise.

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How Star Trek inspired future astronauts

As the U.S. space program kept evolving, NASA needed capable astronauts to expand space studies. In the late 1970s, Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols was hired by NASA to go on a four-month-long campaign to help recruit astronauts. She even toured the NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Her efforts inspired many women and minorities to join the space program.

Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to fly in space. She spoke about her appreciation for Star Trek to Space.com,

“I saw 'Star Trek' the original series as a little girl and for me it was really great because it talked about and it dealt with situations that were going on at the time, but you saw it with a lens of another place, another time, another world, another group of people.”

William Shatner, who portrayed the role of Captain Kirk, has also been instrumental in promoting space science. He has taken part in several events and even narrated NASA’s 30th year anniversary of the space shuttle program documentary. In 2014, NASA gave him the distinguished public service medal for inspiring future astronauts and scientists.

As per Space.com, astronaut Tom Jones shares his love for Star Trek and how it was one of the reasons that made him look at space science. He said,

“When they brought out a new series like 'Star Trek,' it was an additional push toward space as a career possibility.”

After Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the role of Mr. Spock, passed in 2015, aboard the space station, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti paid homage to the legendary actor by wearing a blue Star Trek uniform and giving the iconic Vulcan sign. She wrote on X,

“Of all the souls I have encountered … his was the most human.”

Astronaut Terry Virts is a Star Trek fan and has said that these movies inspired him to pursue a career in space exploration. He learned about Nimoy’s passing while he was aboard his space shuttle, on a mission to the International Space Station. On his X, he shared a photo of giving the Vulcan greeting while looking over Earth. It became one of the more shared images.

When James Doohan, who portrayed the role of USS Enterprise’s chief engineer, Montgomery Scott, retired in 2004, famed astronaut Neil Armstrong spoke at his retirement banquet. He said,

"So, I'm hoping for my next command...to be given a Federation starship. And, when I get that command...I would like to have a crew like Captain James T. Kirk had."

Takei advocated for inclusiveness in NASA’s culture. In 2012, he visited NASA's Mission Control and was even presented a plaque that included the US flag flown in the final space shuttle mission, STS-135.

In 2012, after the space shuttle Enterprise finished its last journey and arrived at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, Nimoy said,

“This is a reunion for me… Thirty-five years ago, I met the Enterprise for the first time.”

Many of the Star Trek cast members have gone on to narrate documentaries and films about space exploration. NASA has named a number of asteroids after characters and elements from the franchise.

ALSO READ: What is the Mirror Universe in Star Trek: The Original Series? Details explored

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