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JPL to Take Part in Tribute Today to Gene Roddenberry on SciFi Writer’s 100th Birthday

Published on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | 1:01 pm
 
(Top row, left to right:) Rod Roddenberry, George Takei, Tracy Drain, (bottom row, left to right:) Jonny Kim, Swati Mohan and Hortense Diggs take part in a panel discussion to honor the late “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry on his 100th birthday. (Credit: NASA)

Two solar system explorers from Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be among a group of NASA panelists discussing the impact and legacy of the late famed writer and “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry on his 100th birthday Thursday.

The program’s starring guests will be Roddenberry’s son, Rod Roddenberry, and “Star Trek” actor George Takai.

Set to be one of the panelists, Swati Mohan, JPL Mars 2020 Mission Guidance, Navigation and Controls Operations Lead — whom CNN dubbed “the face of the Perseverance landing” — told Pasadena Now she was a big fan of Star Trek growing up and still is today.

It was key in sparking my interesting in space, and showing the ideals of space exploration,” Mohan said.

“Star Trek likely had an immeasurable influence on multiple generations as one of the previous series that put forward the ideals of society and how exploration could unite mankind to have a common goal.   It certainly gave me a perspective of what it meant to be a scientist or engineer that was relatable.”

JPL will also be represented by JPL Europa Clipper Mission Flight Systems Engineer Tracy Drain.

Kennedy Space Center Office of Communications and Public Engagement Director Hortense Diggs is also slated to take part in the discussion, which will be hosted online at 11 a.m., JPL said in a written statement.

Introductory remarks are to be provided by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“NASA is helping the legacy of inspiration, hope, and diversity fostered by the creator of ‘Star Trek’ to live long and prosper,” the statement said. “The agency will observe the late Gene Roddenberry’s 100th birthday with a special program called Celebrating Gene Roddenberry: Star Trek’s Bridge and NASA — a panel discussion airing on NASA Television, the agency’s website, the NASA App, and NASA social media.”

NASA is also planning a special out-of-this-world tribute to Roddenberry.

“Coinciding with the program, NASA will broadcast into space a 1976 recording of Gene Roddenberry’s remarks on diversity and inclusion through the agency’s Deep Space Network of radio antennas,” the statement said. “NASA also is inviting people on social media to join in celebrating Gene Roddenberry’s 100th birthday on Thursday by posting a Vulcan salute selfie with the hashtag #Roddenberry100.”

Mohan said she is honored to participate and is curious to discover if what she took away from Star Trek, the influence it had on her, was what Gene Roddenberry intended, [and]  about what his vision was for creating Star Trek.

The event will be broadcast live online at nasa.gov/nasalive.

More information on the planned celebration of Roddenberry’s centennial is available on the Roddenberry Foundation’s website at roddenberryfoundation.org/centennial.

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