In case you're unaware of this awesome-ness, this is Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti at the International Space Station. She's wearing a Star Trek: Voyager uniform, the type worn by Captain Janeway.
One of Janeway's most oft-quoted lines is from an episode entitled "The Cloud" where the ship was running low on replicator power and Janeway was denied her morning caffeine. In quest of an alternate power supply, she directs the pilot with the following words: "Set a new course... there's coffee in that nebula."
When this picture was taken, the SpaceX Dragon freighter had just arrived at the ISS with new supplies, among them a special espresso maker designed specifically for making coffee in space.
So Captain (yes, that's her real rank in the Italian Air Force) Cristoforetti's caption to her Instagram photo?
"There's coffee in that nebula"... ehm, I mean... in that #Dragon.
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This woman went to Space Camp, can quote Janeway, and brought a Star Trek uniform into space. I realize that I'm straight. And married. And have no chance of ever meeting her in person.
But OMG I think I'm in love. :)
Cristoforetti is the mirror image of one Michal Merraro who aspired to be an astronautt, as a child went to Space Camp, identifies 100% with the Star Trek fantasies, and even now wears Star Trek uniforms to give substance to her dreams. Michal daarly loves Samantha who is acting out all of her most cherished desires.
ReplyDeleteAll I can do is sit here.....get a little teary, moan awwwwwwwwww, and smile while shaking my head. I remember little Michal Merraro who tearfully asked when she heard about the shuttle explosion, "Was Sally Ride on it?" Savta is right. Captain Cristoforetti is living your dreams in so many ways. And what's not to be in love? She's also cute as the dickens!
ReplyDeletehaha you guys crack me up! ok. so you both pegged it right on the nose. i want to be her.
Deleteexcept for all that science and math, blech....
I just saw Kate Mulgrew speak at the LA Time Festival of Books. She was wonderful - unfortunately, the person interviewing her was not. But an aerospace engineering student stood up and told Kate that she had been influenced by her to pursue that degree and someone else showed the picture of Cristoforetti.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is that! Man, I would have loved to have joined you.
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