William Shatner, who is perhaps best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, called the International Space Station (ISS) today for a chat with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.
“I’m so moved to be able to speak to you for this brief moment,” am emotional Shatner told the astronaut.
“You’ve been a test pilot, the utmost example of courage. How do you deal with the fear, which is also applicable to space?”
“I read somewhere that you always knew your lines whenever you had a job in the acting profession,” Hadfield told Shatner.
“I have tried to always know my lines. What I’m scared most of is not knowing what to do next … After years of training, you practice everything down to the details so you have the confidence that comes with that.”
Shatner also asked Hadfield about the possibility of journeying to Mars and exploring the Red Planet, which obviously carries its own share of difficulties and risks.
“To accomplish anything worthwhile in life, it’s going to take risk,” Hadfield replied.
“Even if you stay at home and sit at your kitchen table, eventually the ceiling will fall. There’ll be a hurricane or tornado. You can’t live a worthwhile life without risk.”
