Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: Buzz Lightyear to blast off aboard space shuttle Discovery
Quote:
Buzz Lightyear to blast off aboard space shuttle Discovery
Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
May 29, 2008
Buzz Lightyear finally found himself a ride into space -- aboard the NASA space shuttle Discovery, set to lift off Saturday. When the shuttle goes up, it'll be carrying a 12-inch-tall Buzz Lightyear doll to the International Space Station.
Buzz, one of the cartoon characters of the Pixar Studios Toy Story animated movies, will demonstrate zero gravity to elementary-school-age children all summer and fall, then return to Earth on another shuttle flight in November.
For this cross-promotion, no money changes hands between the U.S. space agency and the Walt Disney Co. -- just opportunities. At NASA's request, Disney developed science and math lessons -- known as the Space Ranger Education Series -- and interactive games to tie in with NASA's "Toys in Space" educational program. At Disney's request, Buzz Lightyear's space flight can be used to promote Saturday's grand opening of the Toy Story Midway Mania ride at Walt Disney World.
Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject:
Buzz Lightyear Returning Home From Infinity And Beyond
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER -- He was all the “buzz” when he headed to space last year on a trip designed to boost students' interest in math and science.
Now a Disney character is finally coming home on the next shuttle mission.
He was a special guest during News 13's shuttle launch coverage of STS-124's mission.
Buzz Lightyear, Disney's space ranger, joined the Discovery crew heading to the International Space Station in May 2008.
A Web site was created to allow children to follow Buzz's trip.
Kids could load the shuttle by using problem solving, match a country's contribution to the outpost and complete the station, find everyday objects hidden onboard -- each derived from NASA technology -- use the shuttle's robotic arm and fly Buzz around the station.
But the Web site hasn't been updated since the final days of the mission last year.
A Disney spokesperson said that's because Buzz was busy with the current astronauts, filming educational experiments to be put together for the site when Buzz returns to Earth.
NASA representatives said he was busy at times, but mostly kept grounded during his more than a year in space.
“Buzz is...well, last time I talked to Buzz, he was doing just fine,” said ISS Program Manager Mike Suffredini. “Buzz is doing just fine. Honestly, Buzz has spent a lot of time stowed. We don't bring him out and play with him, so I'm being factious. Clearly I didn't talk to him, but he's been safely stowed away and we intend to return him home this flight."
As Disney puts it, Buzz Lightyear is now the longest serving "astronaut" in space ever, and will be treated as a hero upon his return.
A ticker tape parade is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park to celebrate his homecoming.
The homecoming will also coincide with the re-release of Toy Story 1 and 2.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, his namesake, is scheduled to be there for a book signing, along with astronauts who flew and worked on the ISS.
Disney said they will be partnering with NASA on a Buzz Lightyear Mission Patch Design contest for students after the parade.
The winning patch will be used on a future shuttle mission.
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