Scotty To Be 'Beamed Up'

joel_archer writes "James 'Scotty' Doohan's remains will be launched into space in accord with his last wishes. Commercial space flight operator Space Services Inc. will launch the late actor's remains into space aboard its Explorers Flight on December 6. Along for the ride will be 120 others including an unidentified astronaut and Mareta West, the astrogeologist who determined the site for the first spacecraft landing on the moon. Fans can post tributes to Doohan at the Space Services Web site. Those messages will be digitized, packed with 'Scotty' and blasted into space."

Comments

Godsend Jimmy

[TiredGamer]

Everything I've ever heard from fans and co-workers has described James "Jimmy" Doohan as a man who was funny, caring, and a great guy to be with. Unlike certain unnamed Trek actors, he was never too big to attend the smallest convention and he was always pleased just to be there for the fans. He will be truly missed.

Re:Godsend Jimmy

[TheEqualizer]

Doohan was also a WW2 vet who took part in the Normandy landings, losing a part of his hand due to enemy fire.

Re:Godsend Jimmy

[aussie_a]

If it weren't for his disease (and later, death) I imagine he would have been right there beside Walter Koenig in a fan-produced episode.

While actors like the one that played Spock are much more famous then "the little guys" like Doohan and Koenig (not that they're very little ;)), for me there's something really special about them willing to go that extra mile for their fans (and enjoying it as well) that puts them above others, such as the actor who played Kirk.

Its in a large part just publicity

[TheEqualizer]

Those ashes aren't really going into space, just low-earth orbit, and their orbit will decay in a decade or so.

Re:Its in a large part just publicity

[kfg]

. . .just publicity

Ya mean like a tombstone? It's a memorial. Publicity is inherent in their nature.

Those ashes aren't really going into space, just low-earth orbit. . .

i.e., space.

. . .their orbit will decay in a decade or so.

I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n, but what better way to scatter a gram or seven of Jimmy's ashes upon the face of the earth Earth? That's one shooting movie star I'd like to see with my own eyes.

So long Jimmy, and thanks for all the Trek.

KFG

Why on Earth do you get Space news from CNN?

[TheStonepedo]

BBC ran this article months ago:
Scotty's ashes to hit outer space

A Fitting Fortune (Cookie)

[cybercobra]

Q: How many members of the U.S.S. Enterprise does it take to change a
        light bulb?
A: Seven. Scotty has to report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in
        the Engineering Section is getting dim, at which point Kirk will send
        Bones to pronounce the bulb dead (although he'll immediately claim
        that he's a doctor, not an electrician). Scotty, after checking
        around, realizes that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains
        that he "canna" see in the dark. Kirk will make an emergency stop at
        the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb
        from the natives, who, are friendly, but seem to be hiding something.
        Kirk, Spock, Bones, Yeoman Rand and two red shirt security officers
        beam down to the planet, where the two security officers are promply
        killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured.
        As something begins to develop between the Captain and Yeoman Rand,
        Scotty, back in orbit, is attacked by a Klingon destroyer and must
        warp out of orbit. Although badly outgunned, he cripples the Klingon
        and races back to the planet in order to rescue Kirk et. al. who have
        just saved the natives' from an awful fate and, as a reward, been
        given all light bulbs they can carry. The new bulb is then inserted
        and the Enterprise continues on its five year mission.

- fortune-mod

May the great actor rest in peace.

Re:A Fitting Fortune (Cookie)

[DJCF]

Q: How many members of the original Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?

A:

Captain's Log, Stardate 5187.8. Having cleared up the diplomatic crisis on Politico, I've managed to obtain a leave for my ship and crew. They are looking forward to this much needed vacation.

(Scene: The Bridge)

Kirk: Mr. Sulu, set course for the planet Luxuria.

Sulu: Yes, sir!

(Suddenly, the ship is rocked by a violent explosion which causes everyone to fall out of their chairs.)

Kirk: Mr. Chekov, report on all Klingon ships in the area.

Chekov: Negative, keptin. Sensors show no enemy wessel in sight.

Kirk: Your analysis, Mr. Spock.

Spock: I assure you, Captain, I am not operating under the influence of illicit mind-altering substances. However, if you think it necessary, regulations do stipulate that--

Kirk: I meant your analysis of the current situation.

Spock: My apologies, Captain. I am still sometimes unable to compensate for the vagaries of human enunciation. It would appear, Captain, that a visional catalyst source has malfunctioned to the critical overload stage. (Noticing Kirk's blank stare, he shakes his head almost imperceptably.) To rephrase my statement into what I believe you humans call `the vernacular': a light bulb blew in Engineering.

Kirk: Sulu, you have the Bridge. Spock, come with me.

(Scene: Engineering. A medical team is dragging off an injured engineer in a red shirt. Scotty is surveying the damage and shaking his head. He spots Kirk and Spock.)

Scotty: Ca'en, sair, seen a' th' bulb ha' burn oot, I kinna see to oper'a' me engines!

(Kirk smiles and nods.)

Kirk (whispering to Spock): What did he say?

Spock: I believe, Captain, that Mr. Scott wishes to register a complaint to the effect that there is insufficient illumination to perform the duties requisite in his capacity as Chief Engineer.

Kirk: Oh. Well, Scotty, get a spare from storage.

Spock: I fear such action would be inappropriate, Captain. Starfleet Regulation 171.34c requires us to travel with a full complement of spare parts at all times. If we were to remove a bulb from storage, then we would not have a full complement, and hence be in direct violation.

Kirk: Damn the regulations, Spock, I've got a ship with 430 people aboard to think of! At least I think there are 430; come to think of it, I've never actually seen more than a couple dozen. Oh well, where is the nearest source of light bulbs?

Spock: I believe the planet Luminos satisfies the specified parameters.

Kirk: Scotty, do we have enough power to make it to Luminos?

Scotty: Ach, I dinna righ'ly ken, Ca'en; we're runnin' a wee bit low. However, if we go strai' thar and dinna hurry, I thin' we migh' possibly duit.

Kirk: Thank you, Scotty. Spock?

Spock: Mr. Scott has formulated the opinion that there is insufficient data for complete analysis; current fuel capacity is scarcely in excess of minimal standards. However, probability dictates our vessel has the capability to sustain the journey under the following two constraints: a direct course must be set and maintained throughout and the ship's velocity must satisfy a maximality condition.

Kirk: Then I'm afraid our little pleasure trip will have to wait.

(Scene: The Bridge. Sulu and Chekov are engaged in conversation.)

Sulu: I think it was Thomas Edison.

Chekov: No, you are wrong; the light bulb is a Russian inwention.

(Kirk and Spock enter.)

Kirk: Mr. Sulu, set a direct course for the planet Luminos.

Sulu (startled): But, Captain, that'll take us straight through the Romulan Neutral Zone!

Kirk: It's a risk we'

Scotty's the man

[connah0047]

Now don't stone me for this, but I am about ten years too young to have grown up with the classic Star Trek. I grew up on TNG and that is by far my favorite. I never really cared for the Classic. However, when I was 14 (I'm now 25) and heard Scotty was coming to town for a Star Trek convention, I was there. I got a couple of autographs, got to shake his hand, and hear him tell stories.

The thing that impressed me the most about him was that he didn't seem to have a self-inflated "I'm-an-American-Icon" attitude. He had a very gentle "grandfather" like attitude and spoke with a soft voice. James Doohan is the man.