Luke's Lightsaber Space-Bound

Update: The Discovery blasted off on Tuesday, October 23 at 11:38:19 am (1138? How cool is that?). This is the first mission with both the shuttle and ISS having female commanders (Shuttle CDR Pam Melroy and ISS CDR Peggy Whitson). Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on November 6.

During the two-week mission, Star Wars fans will be able to leave their best wishes to the space shuttle astronauts at http://spacecenter.org/message.asp

Jedi Lightsaber From Return of the Jedi Ready For Launch; Discovery Astronauts To Receive Best Wishes from Star Wars Fans

Luke Skywalker's original Jedi lightsaber, the famous movie prop from the Star Wars saga is now aboard space shuttle Discovery as it waits for its scheduled October 23rd launch at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The Jedi lightsaber has been carefully stowed aboard Discovery and will fly into space with the seven STS-120 astronauts to the International Space Station before returning to Earth 14 days later to mark the legendary film's 30th anniversary.

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Watch Chewie Deliver the Lightsaber to NASA: