In EPIC nerd fashion, NASA has reported that the astronauts of space shuttle Discovery began their day today with a special message recorded by none other than Captain James T. Kirk Him self – William Shatner. The message, which played out along with the classic Trek theme was picked after an open vote by the public in a contest from NASA. Shuttle Discovery – the oldest shuttle operated by NASA undocked from the International space station and began it’s final journey home. With final trips for Endeavour and Atlantis later this spring, the entire shuttle fleet is scheduled for retirement later this year. Thus ending the 30 year program.

This makes the choice of the Star Trek theme almost morbid in my humble opinion. The much loved “Space, the final frontier” introduction inspired a generation’s interest in science and space exploration. The timing of the original show fed off the massive interest of the public in the blossoming space program. As that interest has waned so has funding for NASA. Today marked the beginning of the end of the Shuttle fleet. So it seems to me out right antithetical to begin the journey home with the speech that launched countless imaginations INTO the stars, not down to earth.

Here are some things that I would have sent the crew as a morning wake up call…