If you listen closely on Saturday, when NASA launches the space shuttle Discovery on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station, you may just hear the voice of the crew of STS-124's eighth astronaut.
He'll be the one exclaiming, "To infinity... and beyond!"
Standing 12-inches tall, Buzz Lightyear, the action figure who thought he was a real space ranger in the 1995 film "Toy Story", will achieve his dream of flying in space as part of a new educational partnership between NASA and the Walt Disney Company.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-30-2008 02:25 PM
Buzz Lightyear trains for his spaceflight with a very special mentor...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-30-2008 11:58 PM
Buzz Lightyear poses before his ride to orbit, space shuttle Discovery.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-31-2008 10:18 PM
Woody, the sheriff from the "Toy Story" films, waves goodbye to the Space Shuttle Discovery as it launches May 31, 2008 from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Aboard Discovery is a 12-inch tall action figure of Woody's pal from "Toy Story," Buzz Lightyear. Woody joined thousands of launch-watchers today to view the launch in Veterans' Memorial Park in Titusville, Fla. Disney Parks worked with NASA to include the Buzz Lightyear toy on mission STS-124 to celebrate the opening of a new attraction called "Toy Story Mania!"
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-31-2008 10:22 PM
The games, which debut for play starting on Saturday through NASA's website, feature Buzz Lightyear and are themed around the events to take place during STS-124. -- collectSPACE
The NASA Kids' Club Buzz Lightyear in Orbit games and multimedia feature are now available via NASA's website.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-05-2008 09:41 PM
Buzz Lightyear makes his space debut!
Coming soon: watch for more of Buzz Lightyear's adventures in zero-g!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-06-2008 08:24 AM
From today's (FD7) execute package uplinked by flight controllers to the crew:
The downlink of yesterday's activities really brought home the fact that you are "light years" ahead of us!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-17-2008 02:35 PM
From the June 17 Walt Disney Company release announcing the opening of Toy Story Mania at Disneyland's California Adventure:
Toy Story Mania! Launches With Four Dimensions of Fun and a Big Boost from Buzz at Disneyland Resort
Buzz Lightyear and Astronauts Send Greetings from Space to Celebrate the Opening of Fast-Paced, Immersive Attraction Starring 'Toy Story' Characters
In a spectacular ceremony featuring sky divers, fireworks and Disney executives, along with NASA Astronauts and Buzz Lightyear on board the International Space Station, the new Toy Story Mania! attraction premiered today in Disney's California Adventure as part of Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams."
Inspired by the Disney-Pixar films "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II," Toy Story Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It's a high-energy, immersive adventure in which guests don 3-D glasses and enter a wild 4-D world of game play with Woody, Buzz and other favorite "Toy Story" characters. Special effects add a fourth dimension of fun.
"Through the years, millions of people around the world have enjoyed the humor, excitement and wonder of 'Toy Story' and its unforgettable cast of characters," said Bob Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company. "With the opening of Toy Story Mania!, we celebrate the enduring popularity of Woody, Buzz and their friends as our Disneyland Resort guests become a part of their adventures through this new and imaginative theme-park experience."
Joining Iger in the opening festivities for Toy Story Mania! were Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Ed Grier, President of the Disneyland Resort, and John Lasseter, director of the original "Toy Story" and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Buzz Lightyear and NASA astronauts sent greetings to Disney-Pixar fans from "infinity and beyond" -- aboard the International Space Station.
collectSPACE was present for the opening ceremonies and interviewed Disney/Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter, among others. Look for a feature article and exclusive video of Buzz in space coming later this week.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48528 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-19-2008 09:57 AM
New videos of Buzz Lightyear aboard space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station:
This was shown at the grand opening of Toy Story Mania at Disneyland.