stronger over time – the first NASA orbiter shuttle, Space Shuttle Enterprise, was named after the USS Enterprise of Star Trek fame. The IXS Enterprise, NASA's conceptual design for a superluminal spacecraft, was similarly named after the USS Enterprise in 2014. This connection remained solid throughout the 1990s, when many of the cast members began narrating documentaries about the franchise's content and space exploration. Some of these documentaries were produced in cooperation with NASA itself, most notably the IMAX title Destiny in Space (1994), narrated by Leonard Nimoy. In 2013, NASA produced a 30-second ad to accompany the theatrical release of Star Trek Into Darkness in an effort to bolster support for its space program. In addition, NASA has named a number of asteroids after people or elements connected to the Star Trek franchise: 2309 Mr. Spock 4659 Roddenberry 7307 Takei 9777 Enterprise 26733 Nanavisitor 26734 Terryfarrell 68410 Nichols 155142 Tenagra Star Trek and government activities In addition to space exploration, other government activities have been influenced by Star Trek. In 2020, the United States effort to develop a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 was named Operation Warp Speed, which is the brainchild of a huge Star Trek fan, Dr. Peter Marks. Dr. Marks leads the unit at the Food and Drug Administration which approves vaccines and therapies. See also Star Wars sources and analogues amongst which includes Star Trek as an inspiration for Star Wars. References Further reading Nygard, Roger, director; Crosby, Denise, host. 1997. Trekkies (film documentary: official website). Los Angeles: Neo Motion Pictures. "Star Trek as a Cultural Phenomenon", US Centennial of Flight Commission "Star Wars Vs. Star Trek", Forbes — see also Comparison of Star Trek and Star Wars Whitfield, Stephen E. and Roddenberry, Gene. 1968 (27th printing, 1991). The Making of Star Trek. (; (27th pr.)). New York City: Ballantine Books. External links Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek fandom