Don Savage
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                   
February 1, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1600)


RELEASE:  93-019

NASA PRESENTS PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL TO GENE RODDENBERRY


     Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star Trek television series, 
posthumously received NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal on 
Jan. 30.  The medal was presented to his widow, Majel Barrett 
Roddenberry, by NASA Administrator Dan Goldin in a ceremony at the 
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

     Roddenberry is credited with popularizing the exploration of 
space through the original Star Trek television series, six motion 
pictures and the spin-off television series Star Trek:  The Next 
Generation.  His vision of a positive future for the human race, 
as well as the social and artistic content of the series, have 
enjoyed enormous success and popularity since the original Star 
Trek premiered on television in 1966.

     The impact of his program was recognized in the U.S. space 
program as the first Space Shuttle was named Enterprise after the 
spaceship in Star Trek.  Many people, including astronauts and 
others involved in the space program, cite Star Trek as being an 
early influence on their lives.

     The citation accompanying the medal reads:  "For 
distinguished service to the Nation and the human race in 
presenting the exploration of space as an exciting frontier and a 
hope for the future."

     Gene Roddenberry died in October 1991.

                             - end -