After living his dream of space travel, Buzz Lightyear returned to Earth aboard space shuttle Discovery’s STS-128 mission on Sept. 11, 2009, following more than 15 months of dedicated service onboard the space station. The 12-inch-tall action star flew to space as part of an education initiative between Disney Parks, Pixar and NASA.
NASA, Pixar and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment teamed up to celebrate Buzz Lightyear’s cosmic achievement as the longest tenured space ranger with the March 23, 2010 release of the Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on Blue-ray + DVD Combo Pack. Both Blue-ray DVDs contain special bonus educational material – Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs – as Buzz reports back about his adventures aboard the International Space Station. The mission logs were produced as part of an agreement between NASA and Disney-Pixar to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in younger audiences through the familiar venues of Buzz Lightyear, NASA and space station.
“Buzz’s historic spaceflight is a great example of spreading the excitement of space exploration to students around the world,” said Joyce Winterton, assistant administrator for education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We hope that our space station crews and Buzz will spark student interest in the International Space Station and its scientific potential.”
Geared toward viewers of all ages, the “Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs” bonus feature segments provide a look at the experience of flying to the space station aboard the space shuttle, the day-to-day life onboard the orbiting laboratory, the affects of gravity on humans living in space, as well as the task of assembling the station – the largest space vehicle ever constructed. The entertaining Mission Logs’ commentary showcases the voices of many including Tim Allen and John Ratzenberger. It also features actual onboard high-definition footage taken during Buzz’s stay on the space station.
Buzz’s trip to the station kicked off the Space Ranger Education Series – part of NASA’s “Toys in Space,” an educational program for teachers and students. Additionally, NASA and Disney also launched a set of educational online game as part of the Space Ranger Education Series, both in the NASA Kids’ Club. The series includes fun, educational games for students, as well as materials for educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum.
Buzz Lightyear is the intrepid space ranger toy from the Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2.” Originally released in 1995, “Toy Story” was the first fully computer-animated feature film, which earned director John Lasseter a Special Achievement Award (Oscar(R)) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Both films chronicle the comedic adventures of a group of toys that come to life when humans aren’t watching. Buzz is one of the beloved toys of child-owner Andy, along with the rest of Andy’s toy gang, including the likeable cowboy Woody, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Jessie the cowgirl and Bullseye the horse. Related Links:
