Disney Parks & Nasa Send Buzz Lightyear Into Space - UPDATE: Buzz Coming Home!

[John]

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! DISNEY PARKS AND NASA SEND BUZZ LIGHTYEAR INTO SPACE -- MISSION COINCIDES WITH "LAUNCH" OF NEW EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE AND THE DEBUT OF TOY STORY MANIA! AT WALT DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND RESORTS

It's a dream come true for Buzz Lightyear as Disney Parks and NASA send the 12-inch-tall action figure "to infinity and beyond!" Buzz Lightyear will blast off aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-124. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET on May 31.

Buzz's dream of going "to infinity and beyond" will finally come true during the mission when -- with the help of the crew -- he will fly in zero gravity inside the International Space Station as part of NASA's "Toys in Space" initiative. Through this program, Buzz will help introduce fun elements from space into science and math classrooms across the country.

With Buzz will launch the aspiration of millions of school children who dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide with the kickoff of the Space Ranger Education Series - part of NASA's "Toys in Space," an educational program for teachers and students. The program builds on NASA's educational goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining U.S. economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

Developed by Disney and NASA, "Toys in Space" features materials for educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum as well as online, educational games linked to each key component of the mission. The series, hosted at www.nasa.gov, will be available throughout 2008.

"NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering currently underway on the International Space Station," said Dr. Joyce Winterton, NASA Assistant Administrator for Education. "The educational games and resources from this partnership will allow students to explore the science and math behind space exploration with a beloved character."

Buzz's groundbreaking mission into space also coincides the launch of his latest debut on earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks new attraction that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World in Florida and June 17 at Disneyland Resort in California.

"The Space Ranger Education Series will give teachers an opportunity to incorporate a fun and engaging moment into the classroom with a character that children really love," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We're pleased to join NASA in creating a program that can help keep kids excited about math and science."

BUZZ'S SPACE ITINERARY
Buzz will spend several months in space at the International Space Station (ISS) testing the limits of zero gravity before returning home to a hero's welcome at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida later this year. While in space, Buzz will participate in an experiment flying in zero gravity and appear in a video downlink from the ISS.

The Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-124 will travel with seven astronauts to install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) and the lab's robotic arm system.

For additional information about the educational series and NASA programs, guests may visit www.nasa.gov.

[JPL]

Very cool promotion

[Jasper]

I agree this is a cool promotion for both the Disney Company and NASA.

However, I am concerned that the audience that both organizations most hope to attract, that being school age children and their teachers, may not notice because this comes at the end of the school year for so many here in The United States. In fact, here in our part of southern Indiana the end of the school year came last week already and I know that we are not the only ones who are already out for the year.

I know they say Buzz will be in space for "several months" so I hope that means he will be up there until at least the end of September this year to get the attention of schools as they return in the fall. This can be a great way to get kids interested in space!

[joonyer]

Very Cool
My youngest DS has always loved Buzz, and will be excited to find out about this.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

This is just too cool!

[PirateLover]

This made me smile. Simple as that.

[DDuck66]

I think it is a great promotion to increase the interest in the Space Program. I am sure that a lot of the scholls will use the program for next years studies.

[Nascfan]

Very cool Buzz! Finally, a real space man.

[Imagineer1981]

very cool!...so will the figure speak?

[magicofdisney]

Agreed that this is very cool. Such a simple idea with so much potential.

[Red Randal]

That's hilarious...and a million kinds of awesome.

[scottgr]

Thats so cool...GO BUZZ

[princessimagineer]

this is so exciting! one of the astronauts on board this mission grew up in my town and went to my high school so were already having a big fiesta in his honar as it is.

to infinity and beyond, buzz!

[Piglet822]

I'm sitting in my bus right now at the Banana Creek Viewing Site at KSC, about 4 miles from the launch pad (I really love my job!!!!!!)
I'll be sure to post pictures when I get home this evening (maybe tomorrow if it's too late).

[Ed]

I know they say Buzz will be in space for "several months" so I hope that means he will be up there until at least the end of September this year to get the attention of schools as they return in the fall. This can be a great way to get kids interested in space!

According to an article I read today, Buzz will be on the ISS until November when he will return on another shuttle flight.

I'm sitting in my bus right now at the Banana Creek Viewing Site at KSC, about 4 miles from the launch pad

And you didn't call me???

I wasn't about to try to drive out there today after the traffic we had the last time!

[Ed]

Launched on time, everything looking good...Buzz is on his way !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out this video of retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin "training" Buzz Lightyear.

[MauiMouse]

I'm sitting in my bus right now at the Banana Creek Viewing Site at KSC, about 4 miles from the launch pad (I really love my job!!!!!!)
I'll be sure to post pictures when I get home this evening (maybe tomorrow if it's too late).

How cool!

[AHOTE]

I can't think of a better use for our tax dollars. Way to go BUZZ.

[Piglet822]

And you didn't call me???

I wasn't about to try to drive out there today after the traffic we had the last time!

Well, I started to. But the NASA officials got a little concerned about you and your red shorts. Sorry, Ed.
Traffic? What traffic? Just because it took me and Jim 2 hours to get from KSC to Orlando. I've no idea what you're talking about

[Piglet822]

Here's a video of the launch - it's a bit shaky, sorry about that. I'll try to post some more pictures later.

Shuttle Discovery