Leonard Nimoy, who died on Friday at 83, inspired generations of astronauts thanks to his portrayal of Mr. Spock in Star Trek on the U.S.S. Enterprise.
And Nimoy was front-row-center when NASA rolled out the real space shuttle Enterprise in 1976, joined by DeForest Kelley, the actor who played Dr. "Bones" McCoy on Star Trek, George Takei (Mr. Sulu); James Doohan (Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott), and a group of NASA administrators.
Astronauts and space agencies on Twitter shared remembrances of the man who played Spock as word of his death broke on Friday afternoon.
See some of their tributes, below.
Commander Chris Hadfield: Canadian astronaut
Leonard, you lived long and prospered, and were an inspiration to me and to millions. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/NESJKvTepm— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) February 27, 2015
Scott Kelly: NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain
#RIP @TheRealNimoy who popularized #space travel for generations to come so we may live long and prosper pic.twitter.com/UxWc3PVulO— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 27, 2015
Sam Cristoforetti: Italian astronaut currently living on the International Space Station
Live Long and Prosper, Mr. #Spock! "Leonard Nimoy, Spock of Star Trek, Dies at 83" http://t.co/YUKDWJea2v pic.twitter.com/qYUNbzPdnD— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) February 27, 2015
Alexander Gerst: German astronaut
In Memoriam of a great character and a fellow volcanologist. You will live on, long and prosper @TheRealNimoy #StarTrek— Alexander Gerst (@Astro_Alex) February 27, 2015
NASA
RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go... http://t.co/qpeH5BTzQc pic.twitter.com/nMmFMKYv1L— NASA (@NASA) February 27, 2015
ESA auf Deutsch: Germany's wing of the European Space Agency
\V/ #LLAP— ESA auf Deutsch (@ESA_de) February 27, 2015
Virgin Galactic: A space-travel company that aims to send aspiring astronauts into space
He was, and always shall be, a friend to all of us. Thanks, @TheRealNimoy for reminding us all to live long and prosper. #LLAP— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) February 27, 2015
European Space Agency
Here, too! @NASA: RIP Leonard Nimoy. Many of us at NASA inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go... http://t.co/pYrHxRUGkJ pic.twitter.com/FnLIYXMS7U— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) February 27, 2015
Astronaut Terry W. Virts
pic.twitter.com/ErjTLgCIrL— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) February 28, 2015