Luke's lightsaber goes into space

[Batty]

The original lightsaber used by Mark Hamill in Return of the Jedi will be sent into space on the shuttle Discovery in October.

https://www.collectspace.com/news/news-082707a.html

 

[El Roranous]

Why?

 

[galactiboy]

Okay... seems like a useful idea?!?

Will they be bringing it back, or just shooting it off into permanent orbit?

 

[Captain Faramir]

Well honestly, how else would an astronaut defent himself against hostile alien invaders?

 

[The Godfather]

From the article

"Stowed on-board the orbiter, in addition to a new module for the international space station, will be the original prop lightsaber used by actor Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in the 1983 movie "Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi". The laser-like weapon is being flown to the orbiting outpost and back in honor of the 30th anniversary of the George Lucas-created franchise."

 

[El Roranous]

I read that but seems as a bit pointless and superfluous really. Star Wars is getting out of hand.

 

[pixletwin]

I thought it would be cooler if they just shot it out there like the thing they sent to space playing bach and saying hello in every language on Earth.

 

[Rook]

I have a better idea. Ship it to me and I'll hang onto it for a year.

 

[FlyAndFight]

That Stormtrooper on the left has one HUGE thigh.

 

[Scarlet]

NASA had a hunch the lightsaber will "really work" if it's in Space.

 

[Scarlet]

That Stormtrooper on the left has one HUGE thigh.

It's not a stormtrooper that's the "Thunderthigh" trooper.

 

[pixletwin]

It's not a stormtrooper that's the "Thunderthigh" trooper.

 

[MaulFan]

No one else is concerned about a bunch of astronauts going up in space with a long rod and being alone without women for a period of time?

 

[Captain Faramir]

Um, no MaulFan--no.

 

[DarkArtist81]

NASA had a hunch the lightsaber will "really work" if it's in Space.

 

[Prime Clone]

They wanted Luke's first saber but it's already orbiting Bespin (that is, unless you believe in the Expanded Universe).

 

[Batty]

I can just imagine some drunk astronaut swinging it around making lightsaber noises.

 

[Darthrazz]

From the article

"Stowed on-board the orbiter, in addition to a new module for the international space station, will be the original prop lightsaber used by actor Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in the 1983 movie "Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi". The laser-like weapon is being flown to the orbiting outpost and back in honor of the 30th anniversary of the George Lucas-created franchise."

What's missing from the article is the following:

"The prop that was already worth beaucoup bucks will now be worth even MORE when auctioned later on during the year"

 

[Shropt]

I hate FX armor. It just looks horrible.

 

[Batty]

The shuttle Discovery with Luke's lightsaber just lifted off at 11:38 ET.