William Shatner: My Trip to Space Filled Me With Sadness - Variety

In this exclusive excerpt from William Shatner’s new book, “Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder,” the “Star Trek” actor reflects on his voyage into space on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle on Oct. 13, 2021. Then 90 years old, Shatner became the oldest living person to travel into space, but as the actor and author details below, he was surprised by his own reaction to the experience.

no wonder bezos quickly shut him up and popped a bottle of champagne

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  • Wheaties [she/her]
    ·
    2 years ago

    When the day finally arrived, I couldn’t get the Hindenburg out of my head. Not enough to cancel, of course—I hold myself to be a professional, and I was booked. The show had to go on.

    I can hear him saying this.

    As we ascended, I was at once aware of pressure. Gravitational forces pulling at me. The g’s. There was an instrument that told us how many g’s we were experiencing. At two g’s, I tried to raise my arm, and could barely do so. At three g’s, I felt my face being pushed down into my seat. I don’t know how much more of this I can take, I thought. Will I pass out? Will my face melt into a pile of mush? How many g’s can my ninety-year-old body handle?

    Fuck. I mean, there's worse ways to go I guess. If you're already that old, why say no? I'm just surprised they let him.

      • Wheaties [she/her]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Yeah, it was a small shock reading that. Some 70 year olds look like they're 90, some 90 year olds look like they're 60. Guess he's just the lucky latter.

    • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
      ·
      2 years ago

      I'm just surprised they let him.

      I'm assume Bezos thought: "Captain Kirk's gonna ride on my rocket," and he was so enthused by the marketing he didn't care about the danger. He must have ignored any minions who told him it's not the greatest idea in the world to take a 90 year old up into space in your rocket.