William Shatner was the First Celebrity to Go to Space
In a historic milestone, actor William Shatner, best known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, became the first celebrity to venture into space in 2021. At the age of 90, Shatner joined a Blue Origin rocket along with three other crew members, including the company’s founder Jeff Bezos, on a journey that would change his perspective on life forever.
The trip, which lasted about 10 minutes and 10 seconds, took Shatner to an altitude of 106.9 kilometers (346,000 feet) above the Earth’s surface. The experience was a mix of excitement and awe, with Shatner later describing it as “all…that…thrilled me for years…but when I looked…into space…I saw…death.” His words echoed the profound realization that he had gained from the experience, a sense of mortality that can only be understood by witnessing the vastness of space.
Shatner’s space journey marked a new era in space travel, paving the way for other celebrities to follow in his footsteps. One such celebrity is singer Katy Perry, who took her own 10-minute space journey on April 14, 2025. Perry’s trip was part of a larger effort to promote the Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, which is designed to take civilians to the edge of space.
However, it’s worth noting that Shatner was not the first celebrity to go to space. According to reports, Lauren Sanchez, the girlfriend of Jeff Bezos, had taken a space journey with Blue Origin earlier in 2021. Sanchez’s trip was a precursor to Shatner’s, and it marked the beginning of a new era in celebrity space travel.
Shatner’s experience in space has been documented in a Blue Origin video, which shows the actor’s reactions during the flight. In the video, Shatner can be seen grinning from ear to ear as he floats in mid-air, taking in the breathtaking views of the Earth below. His excitement is palpable, and it’s clear that the experience has left a lasting impact on him.
Despite the thrill of the experience, Shatner has spoken candidly about his concerns regarding space travel. In an interview with CNN, he expressed his worries about the potential dangers of space travel, saying, “I don’t want to go to space. I don’t want to go to space. I don’t want to go to space.” His words highlight the risks involved in space travel, and the importance of ensuring the safety of those who venture into the unknown.
In conclusion, William Shatner’s journey to space marked a historic milestone in the history of space travel. As the first celebrity to venture into space, Shatner paved the way for others to follow in his footsteps. His experience serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty of space, and the profound impact it can have on our lives. As we continue to explore the vastness of space, we can only hope that more celebrities will join Shatner in his journey, and share their own experiences with the world.
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