Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science since 2015. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Her latest book, 'Why Am I Taller?', is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams.

Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. She was contributing writer for (opens in new tab) for 10 years before joining full-time, freelancing since 2012. Takei, a gay man, said in 2020 he asked Roddenberry to highlight LGBTQ+ figures in 'Star Trek' decades ago Roddenberry at first turned down the opportunity out of fear of advertisers' recrimination and later regretted it, Takei said.Įlizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. A recent documentary highlighted Nichols' contributions to attracting Black and female astronauts in a 1970s NASA campaign, too.īoth NASA and Roddenberry have occasionally come under criticism for their approaches to diversity that said, both made efforts to rectify the concerns. 'Star Trek' continues its push into diversity to this day, including introducing the franchise's first transgender and nonbinary characters in 2020. (In 2015, several astronauts beamed pictures of themselves using the salute in space shortly after the death of TOS actor Leonard Nimoy, who created the gesture for his character Spock.) The agency is asking 'Star Trek' fans to post their Vulcan salutes in social media to celebrate Roddenberry's birthday, using the hashtag #Roddenberry100.

(Image credit: Johnson Space Center (via Facebook)) George Takei (Star Trek's Sulu) and Robonaut throwing the Vulcan salute during a recent visit to NASA Johnson Space Center.

Star trek by gene roddenberry