Buzz Lightyear to be launched into space by NASA!!!

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On May 31, 2008 (@ 5:02PM), Buzz Lightyear will finally be able to live his dream of becoming a real space cowboy! NASA and Disney have teamed up to send the karate-chop-action toy to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-124.

Buzz’s dream of going “to infinity and beyond” will finally come true during the mission when — with the help of the crew — he will fly in zero gravity inside the International Space Station as part of NASA’s “Toys in Space” initiative. Through this program, Buzz will help introduce fun elements from space into science and math classrooms across the country.

With Buzz will launch the aspiration of millions of school children who dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide with the kickoff of the Space Ranger Education Series - part of NASA’s “Toys in Space,” an educational program for teachers and students. The program builds on NASA’s educational goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining U.S. economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

Buzz Lightyear’s launch into space is also happening on the same day that Toy Story Mani! opens at Walt Disney World in Florida. Toy Story Mani! is a new theme-park attraction inside Disney World.

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Here’s Buzz Aldrin coaching Buzz Lightyear.

And here’s the NASA promo video of Buzz Lightyear being sent to space!

Man, Buzz Lightyear is awesome! I really want a Buzz Lightyear toy.