Star Ships

Photo Link

It is unusual for a cultural phenomenon to inspire people from around the world to enter into fields of study all leading to the same industry. This was and still is the global impact of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek.

When did you first see a hand held communicator, now referred to as a cell phone? When did you see your first data storage device later mimicked by the floppy drive, or a hand held medical scanning devise now seen as an ultrasound scanner? These were all part of the Start Trek universe. 

There is no doubt about the impact of the Rodenberry science fiction creation on the space sciences and engineering that now empower our space technologies. Many of the astronauts and engineers and others involved in the space industry are there because of the Star Trek programs and movies that inspired them. 

They have been encouraged and became excited about space through these programs and it would therefore be fitting to name some of the Star Ships or an entire fleet of the first star ships after the characters portrayed in the Star Trek universe or the actors who portrayed them.

The NASA space shuttle for example, was named "Enterprise" and at least one astronaut gave a nod to her inspiration by donning a Star Trek uniform while working on the ISS. 

As many nations are attempting to send their own rockets into orbit and beyond, naming their ships after those who have inspired so many individuals to seek out a career in one of the many sciences so vital to our global space efforts would be a compliment.

As the Star Trek influence was on a global scale it would be inappropriate to name something as the USS (name) or the HMS(name) for example. A common denominator such as ES (for earth ship) or SS (for star ship) would be more complimentary and in keeping with the Rodenberry concept of all nations working together toward a common future.

Calling something HMS ... or USS.... or any other national designation would detract from the importance of these characters as their influence was global, not just an influence in the USA.