This Week in Science Fiction History
A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, Science Fiction became reality. Ever since that day, we continue to celebrate the people, places, and events that comprise our collective fascination with all things space … above and beyond!
June 18
On this day in 2006, the first Kazakh space satellite – “KazSat” – was launched. How proud Borat must be! Sexy time! But back in 1977, the Space Shuttle test model – the Enterprise – carried a crew aloft for the first time aboard a modified Boeing 747. Auspicious birthdays include Jack Brown (1957) who’s appeared in both the ALIEN and STAR WARS film franchises.
June 19
Steven Spielberg brought his vision of an invasion of Earth to TNT with the premiere of “Falling Skies” on this day in 2011. Auspicious birthdays include the lovely Virginia Hey (1952) played Pa’u Zotoh Zhaan in SyFy’s stellar “Farscape” as well as Warrior Woman from the Mad Max sequel, THE ROAD WARRIOR; also Zoe Saldana (1978) of STAR TREK and AVATAR fame grew another year older.
June 20
Danger! Nuclear annihilation pending! On this day in 1963, the so-called “Red Telephone” was established between Soviet Union and United States following the Cuban Missile Crisis. Auspicious birthdays include the director of PLANET TERROR, Robert Rodriguez (1968), and veteran character actor James Tolkan (1931), best known as Mr. Strickland from the BACK TO THE FUTURE movies.
June 21
On this day in 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spaceplane to achieve spaceflight. Auspicious birthdays include Lana Wachowski (1965) – ½ of the Wachowski Bros. – responsible for THE MATRIX film series, as well as Erica Durance (1978) who played Lois Lane on the WB’s Superman reimagining, “Smallville.”
June 22
Pluto finally had a moon – this one named Charon – when James Christy discovered it on this day in 1978. Auspicious birthdays include “The Bionic Woman” herself, Lindsay Wagner (1949), and “Star Trek: Voyager” star Tim Russ, who played the Vulcan Mr. Tuvok.
June 23
On this day in 1910, the first airship with passengers – the Zeppelin Deutscheland – lifted off into the sky. In 1976, Michael York and LOGAN’S RUN was released theatrically. In 1989, Disney’s HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS showed us the misadventures of miniaturized kids just trying to cross the backyard.
June 24
On this day in 1987, Mel Brooks’ STAR WARS-inspired parody SPACEBALLS graced silver screens nationwide. Auspicious birthdays include the original ROBOCOP himself, Peter Weller (1947), who’ll also be seen in the next STAR TREK film from JJ Abrams and his crew. British sci-fi novelist Francis Leslie Ashton was born on this day in 1904.
