As we reported last week, the crew of the space shuttle Discovery woke up this morning to the sweet sounds of the Star Trek Theme (by Alexander Courage, ST:TOS). In a surprise twist, the wake up call included a pre-recorded message from the big man himself, William Shatner. In a modified version of the TOS prologue, The Shat bid tribute to Discovery's 30 year mission. Check out a transcript below.

"Space, the final frontier, These have been the voyages of the space shuttle Discovery. Her 30-year mission: to seek out new science, to build new outposts, to bring nations together on the final frontier, to boldly go and do what no spacecraft has done before."

In case you missed the wake up call this morning, you can check out the Youtube version below.

It’s so close we can taste it…the culmination of NASA’s Top 40 Song Contest is finally close at hand. Placing in the #2 position with 27.2 % of the votes, the Star Trek theme song (by Alexander Courage) will be played on March 7th for the STS-133 shuttle crew's wake up call. We can't find an exact time but they seem to be waking them up between 4:00-6:30am CST. You can watch live coverage of the shuttle mission on NASA TV's Public Channel. Dude...we're watching live space coverage right now...as we type...*excited giggles* If you can't listen to it live or if you missed it, you can go here to listen to all of the saved audio for the STS-133 Shuttle Mission including the wakeup calls.

Two captains, one show. William Shatner is set to host Star Trek: Enterprise's Captain Archer, or Scott Backula as he's known in the 21st century, on Shatner's Raw Nerve. The 30 minute talk show on The Biography channel is another link in the vast Shat empire and see's the man himself sitting down with celebrity guests to talk about their hot button issues. The show is set to air Monday, February 28th at 10pm ET. Check out the description below with links to the show's website.

Golden Globe-winner Scott Bakula sits down with host William Shatner for a personal conversation. Shatner talks to Bakula about what it was like to break into the business at a young age, his time as a Broadway singer, and what an honor it was for him to play a role on the Star Trek: Enterprise series. Bakula speaks about his healthy lifestyle and how he's implemented his philosophies into the raising of his sons.

"Shatner's Raw Nerver" official website.

Oh, Vegas Khhaaan! your superior intellect and super human looks are hard for us to resist. We had a blast last year covering the Official Star Trek Las Vegas Convention, meeting our readers and hanging with friends new and old. This year is setting up to be just as much fun. It's the 45th anniversary of Star Trek, and we've heard a rumor from an inside source that Creation is trying their hardest to land Avery Brooks and Scott Bakula to complete the full captain set. We have to say, that would be magically epic. Of course, Khhaaan! is always up to no good. It's all cordial and full of smiles until he tries to steal your ship. Let's just hope we don't end up with Ceti Eels attached to our cerebral cortex like last year.

Check out below for the guest roster thus far.

We often kick ourselves for leaving Southern California, not just for the great weather and beaches, but also for the metric  ton of Trek related events in the area. Here's one that will surely please all the SoCal Trek fans. The Egyptian theater in L.A. is hosting all six original Star Trek films, Motion Picture to Undiscovered Country, with a different special guest Q&A each night. The series starts March 24th at 7:30 with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and runs through Sunday March 27th concluding with Star Trek VI and a special moderated Q&A with II & VI director Nicholas Meyer. You can head over to the Hero Complex blog at the L.A. Times and post your questions for Nicholas in the comment section. As an added note, Walter Koenig will also participate in a Q&A Saturday March 26th in between the Star Trek IV & V double feature. Check out the full details below.

Thursday, March 24 – 7:30 PM

We're not exactly sure how this slipped passed our radar, but it would seem that The Shat was on last night's episode of "American Pickers". Not familiar with the show? "American Pickers" follows the exploits of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories. If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, this show may change your mind--and teach you a thing or two about American history along the way.

The Emerald City Comicon is upon us once again and is providing Seattle with a heavy dose of Trek, Geek, & Comic goodness. This year's roster is proving to be a full one with the likes of The Shat, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, & Wil Wheaton. Not that those are the only guests scheduled, but we know Trek fans like the good news up front.  Just as a quick note, Shatner will be there Sunday only, with Frakes & Spiner all three days, & Wil Wheaton's alter ego on Friday & Saturday. Ya see, he's sporting a beard now, so he must be from the mirror universe. Check out below for the full list of media guests and event time & place.

9th Annual ECCC
March 4th - 6th, 2011
Washington State Convention Center
Seattle, WA
Website

Here's our long overdue convention wrap-up for the Women of Scifi Con 2011 in Plano, TX. Sorry for the delay folks, we've been hard at work making the world a safer and better place for all mankind. Well, maybe that's overdoing it... but, we have been extra busy putting together a new episode of our Life After Trek podcast that we think you will really enjoy. Until then, check out the links below for our day-by-day coverage of the con, as well as photo slideshow and Q&A videos.

Women Of SciFi Convention: Plano, TX - Live Coverage - Day 2

Women Of SciFi Convention: Plano, TX - Live Coverage - Day 1

Photo slideshow

Star Trek's Mr. Spock is making a guest appearance in the Dallas Metroplex this May with a few other special guests including comic book legend Stan Lee. Called the Dallas Comic-Con, the convention is scheduled for May 21st & 22nd (2011) and includes not only Nimoy & Lee, but also David Prowse (Darth Vader: Star Wars IV, V, VI) and a slew of artists, writers, & publishers from the comic book world. Check details below.