William Shatner, the legendary actor known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, and Prince William, had an interesting exchange about space travel that led to some public tension. The disagreement came about after Shatner’s spaceflight in October 2021. The actor made headlines for becoming the oldest person ever to travel to space at the age of 90.
Prince William, however, took issue with this moment of commercial space exploration. He publicly criticized billionaire space tourism, including Shatner’s flight, addressing the environmental issue. His comment sparked controversy, while Shatner defended his spaceflight and the broader concept of space exploration.
William Shatner defended space travel amid criticism from Prince William
In a BBC interview, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, expressed concern about the environmental impact of commercial space travel. He emphasized that humanity’s focus should be on tackling climate change and other global crises, rather than diverting attention and resources to space exploration.
It really is quite crucial to be focusing on this [planet] rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future.
The Duke criticized billionaires, suggesting that instead of investing in space tourism, they should be directing their efforts toward solving urgent Earth-bound problems.
Prince William’s comments reflect his commitment to the Earthshot Prize, an initiative he founded to support efforts aimed at addressing climate change and environmental destruction. He further stated that he had “absolutely no interest” in traveling to space, noting that space flights’ carbon footprint was a key factor in his disinterest.
Star Trek star, however, was quick to respond, pointing out that while he respected Prince William as a “lovely Englishman” and future king, the prince was missing the bigger picture. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Shatner defended space exploration, claiming that it could be a tool for solving the very problems Prince William sought to address. He argued that the spaceflight was just a “baby step” in a larger plan to build industries in space, which could ultimately reduce pollution on Earth.
Shatner suggested that the goal was not to escape Earth but rather to develop technologies that could help protect it, “We have got all the technology, the rockets, to send the things up there… You can build a base 250, 280 miles above the Earth and send that power down here, and they catch it, and then they use it, and it’s there.”
He continued,
All it needs is…somebody as rich as Jeff Bezos [to say], ‘Let’s go up there.'”
Shatner said that, in the future, space-based industries might provide clean energy, such as solar power collected in space and beamed down to Earth. The actor further defended himself, clarifying, “The Prince is missing the point. The point is there are the baby steps to show people [that] it’s very practical. You can send somebody like me up into space.”
He emphasized that commercial space travel could serve as a stepping stone to more practical and sustainable solutions for the planet.
William Shatner traveled to space in Jeff Bezos’s spacecraft
In 2021, William Shatner became the oldest person ever to travel to space, aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft. The flight was a suborbital journey that lasted just 10 minutes, and it was part of a commercial space venture led by Jeff Bezos, a well-known Star Trek fan. Alongside Shatner were other paying passengers and Blue Origin’s VP, Audrey Powers. The flight, though brief, cost upwards of half a million dollars per ticket.
The Star Trek legend shared how the journey itself was profound, one that shifted his outlook on Earth’s fragility and the importance of protecting it. He described the experience as overwhelming, likening it to holding a newborn child—feeling a deep responsibility to protect the planet for future generations.
This debate, though, highlights two different visions: Prince William’s immediate concern with tackling pressing global challenges versus Shatner’s belief in space as a catalyst for future solutions. Both have valid points. Shatner sees space exploration as a critical stepping stone for future technologies that could benefit Earth, while Prince William remains focused on addressing current environmental issues before venturing beyond the planet.
It seems like both perspectives come from a desire to protect Earth, but they represent different paths to that goal. Both perspectives hold merit, and the challenge lies in balancing the urgent needs of the present with the possibilities of the future.
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