I’m just watching CNN now, and I hope you’ve caught this too.  The original prototype shuttle Enterprise is swooping around NYC to land at JFK soon and prepere for  it’s final home  at the Intrepid Museum.  So exciting for NYC and NASA!   I remember when the  Enterprise was unveiled in 1976, it was originally to be called The Constitution, but Trek fans all over the country wrote NASA and inisited that they name this prototype after their favorive Starship!   On CNN now John Cerrella joking referred to it as ‘The Rodney Dangerfield” of Shuttles, because it did’t get to fly into space, hence ‘getting no respect’, but it’s safe to say that without this prototype which was used for practice landings, our shuttle program may have never happened!

Certainly The Enterprise  is getting that respect now!  Nimoy Alert:  I’ve heard several commentators say that Mr. Nimoy is going to speak today at JFK – I hope so !  Nimoy was a the first roll-out of The Enterprise in 1976 along with Dee, Jim, Nichelle, George, Walter, and Gene Roddenberry.  I’m so glad he’s there today!   I remember the roll-out well!  Several of the Trek  men were wearing awful leisure suits! (save for Nimoy and Takei)  But it was so exciting! Nimoy at the time was surprised that it wasn’t the Star-Spangled Banner playing at the roll out, but rather the original  Star Trek Theme!

The Star Trek Cast welcome the newly christened NASA Shuttle Enterprise in 1976. L-R NASA Employee, DeForrest Kelly, George Takei, James Doohan (partly hidden, w/beard) Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, Gene Roddenberry, NASA employee, and Walter Koenig.

The best thing about Enterprise coming to NYC is that it is in such beautiful condition because it doesn’t have any space-wear on it, no loose or missing tiles.   It will be a beautiful addition to the Intrepid Museum when it opens in July!   I’ll keep you updated when Nimoy speaks today!