In what certainly must be the “mother of all marketing tie ins”, a joint Disney / NASA press release this morning announces that Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear will be flying into space with the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-124 when it lifts off from Kennedy Space Center at 5:02 pm on May 31, 2008. Apparently Buzz will spend several months at the International Space Station testing the limits of zero gravity. According to NASA his mission will include a space walk. No comment from NASA on whether Buzz’s tiny shape will aid them in checking the Shuttle for damaged tiles or if he’s purely a last minute selection due to his ability to never need to use the bathroom. More links and a short video follow.

So how would you like to be Space Shuttle commander Mark Kelly and potentially have your mission be “footnoted” in the history books as the flight that shuttled Buzz Lightyear to the International Space Station?

Here’s Buzz’s bio and a little about what he will be doing while he’s in space:

This strange but true marketing initiative will be happening on May 31, 2008 with the launch of NASA’s Discovery space shuttle.

According to their press release:

Disney Parks and NASA - The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration - are sending the beloved action figure “to infinity and
beyond!” Buzz Lightyear will buckle in and blast off aboard Space Shuttle
Discovery on mission STS-124. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is
scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET on May 31.

With Buzz will launch the aspiration of millions of schoolchildren who
dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide with the kickoff of the Space
Ranger Education Series - part of NASA’s “Toys in Space,” an educational
program for teachers and students. The program builds on NASA’s educational
goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology and
mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining US
economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

During the mission, the 12-inch-high, self-proclaimed defender of the
galaxy will join in mission activities, including a spacewalk in zero
gravity, and experience the same G-forces and weightlessness the astronauts
do, helping to introduce fun elements from space into science and math
classrooms across the country.

In addition, after the shuttle launch, kids will be able to access “Edu-Tainment” games via a link on the NASA web site (active only after the shuttle launches)

During his mission, school children can learn about science and engineering taking place at the International Space Station in a series of new educational games at www.nasa.gov. The interactive, online educational program features Buzz in a variety of problem-solving games and fun learning tools to help immerse students in the world of space travel, technology, math and science. Buzz’s space mission is to celebrate the opening of the “Toy Story Mania!” attractions at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (opening May 31) and Disneyland Resort in California (opening June 17).

Here’s a short promo video from NASA/Disney:

Link: Disney/NASA Joint Release - TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! DISNEY PARKS AND NASA SEND BUZZ LIGHTYEAR INTO SPACE
Link: NASA Web Site (Access Edu-Tainment games after Buzz blasts off on 5/31/08)