Back in 1974, a space shuttle was being designed for NASA’s space program to become the first space shuttle orbiter. Its job would be to perform test flights in the atmosphere, but wouldn’t venture into space due to its lack of engines and a space shield. This space craft was to be named the Constitution and unveiled on Constitution Day, September 17, 1976. This wouldn’t come to pass. Star Trek fans, often referred to as Trekkies, started a letter writing campaign to then President Gerald Ford to have the ship re-named the Enterprise.
Though President Ford never mentioned the Trekkies’ influence in his decision, he did direct NASA to change the name, saying simply that he was partial to the new moniker. In celebration of the Enterprise’s dedication, many of the original cast members of the Star Trek TV show were in attendance as well as Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Today, while the ship may not be “living,” it certainly is “prospering” at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.