Buzz Lightyear Goes to Infinity… And Back!

Buzz Lightyear with Space Shuttle Discovery at Edwards Air Force Base in California. (Photo: Tony Landis/NASA)

Buzz Lightyear, the favorite spaceman of children everywhere, has just returned from a long stay in space. He spent 468 days in orbit, spending time on board the International Space Station. A partnership between NASA and Disney Parks, Mr. Lightyear’s goal in spending such a long time in space was to inspire children across the planet to study science, technology and mathematics. It was all part of the Space Ranger Education Series that NASA put together.

Buzz was lauched into space on May 31, 2008 on board STS-124. He just returned on September 11, 2009 on STS-128. I’m sure he was a worthy companion to the ISS crew. While technically not a human, Buzz did break Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov’s record for time in space on one voyage. Polyakov spent 437 days on board Mir in 1994-5.

At the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, both Buzz Lightyear and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, of Apollo 11/Walked on the Moon fame, will be honored in a parade on October 2, 2009 at 2:45pm.

A 12-inch doll, Buzz Lightyear didn’t take up too much room in the cabin, but I’m sure he enjoyed the ride. Here he is, floating around the cabin, and checking in on important mission tasks.

So kids, was he flying, or falling with style?