Disney Parks and NASA Send Buzz Lightyear into Space

[Stu]

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11389&stc=1&d=1212236570It'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.

[Stu]

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 with the launch of his latest debut on Earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks new attraction that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World Resort 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.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/buzzshuttle500.jpg

High Resolution Image HERE (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/buzzshuttlehires.jpg)


.

[Andre]

If only this were April 1st, no one would ever believe it!

Andre

[josh.p.]

wow! he's my favourite character, how cool! Very very good idea. Funny, too!

[MUDPUPPY]

This is what happened
Buzz has not had much work on over the last few months
So looked into a new line of work
took up an evening class as a plumber
I think you know the rest??:d::d:

[Stu]

Bye Bye Buzz...

WE HAVE LIFTOFF!:
Woody, the sheriff from the "Toy Story" films, gives a thumbs-up as the Space Shuttle Discovery 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 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!" -- that features Buzz Lightyear and Woody. The toy on the spacecraft will be transferred to the International Space Station where it will spend several months, before being sent back to Florida later this year on a future Space Shuttle mission. A series of educational programs for school children has been planned for the toy's time in space. (Scott Miller, photographer)


http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo1.jpg

High Resolution Image HERE (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo1a.jpg)

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo2.jpg

High Resolution Image HERE (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo2a.jpg)

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo3.jpg

High Resolution Image HERE (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/BuzzLightyearinSpaceGo3a.jpg)

[Stu]

Buzz preparing Buzz for space travel.

Download the training video HERE (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/buzz2buzz.mov) it's 55Mb .mov file

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/web_images/FPNews/buzza.jpg

[Andre]

Love the video.

But doesn't Woody look a lot bigger than all the other spectators - even allowing for the platform? :)

Andre