Star Wars Thanks Space Shuttle Discovery

Ben Kenobi described The Force as a mystical energy force that connects all living things and binds the galaxy together. There’s certainly a connection between the Earth and the Space Shuttle Discovery right now, or at least one for Star Wars fans. The shuttle is currently carrying Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber into space. Now, as the shuttle prepares to head home, Star Wars fans are getting a chance to thank the crew for helping celebrate the anniversary of Star Wars by carrying the movie prop as far, far away as it can get right now.

Thanks to a partnership between Space Center Houston and Star Wars.com, fans can send words of greetings and appreciation to the astronauts currently on board the Discovery. Fans can head over to the official Star Wars site to send their message, which will be collected together on a CD and presented to the astronauts during their debriefing.

If you want to leave your message, head over to Star Wars.com quickly, because the Discovery lands late Wednesday morning. The landing won’t mark the ending of the Star Wars connection between NASA and Lucasfilm, however. Space Center Houston will display the space-traveled lightsaber along with other Star Wars paraphernalia through the rest of the year.