Dustin Gandof
A-List Actor Ready To Swap Red Carpets for Rocketships
Imagine this. You have already garnered numerous accolades, enjoyed an expansive career on the silver screen, and have been hailed as one of the best actors of your generation. You have two Academy Awards under your belt and are globally recognized for your phenomenal performances in films like “Forrest Gump,”, “Philadelphia”, and “Cast Away.” What else could you possibly desire? If you’re Tom Hanks, the answer to that question is simple – the opportunity to jet off into the unprecedented frontier of space. Yes, that’s right, Tom Hanks has an unabated desire to be an astronaut. But, he’s not just looking for a leisurely trip to the cosmos; he’s even prepared to scrub space toilets for the chance to hurtle among the stars. The allure of the celestial orb has him ready to hang up his tux for a turn in a space suit.
The Far-Reaching Appeal of Space
For many of us, the appeal of venturing into the great unknown is purely theoretical. Perhaps we enjoy films like “Interstellar” or “The Martian,” or we might get a kick out of stargazing on a clear night. But for Hanks, the fascination goes deeper. Space isn’t just a far-off realm of possibility but an inviting oasis of discovery, a new stage that’s appealing in its vastness and potential. And let’s not forget his starring role in “Apollo 13,” a performance that had us all holding our breath as we traversed the fateful voyage alongside him.
The Chance of a Lifetime?
It’s not surprising then that Hanks’ fascination with space extends beyond the cinematic sphere. He’s willing to put on his best astronaut face, even if it means performing menial tasks beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Who needs glamour and gold statuettes when you potentially have the entire cosmos at your disposal? And if it requires cleaning space toilets, who cares? That’s a small price to pay for the chance to live amongst the stars.
What Makes A Space Toilet?
Hey, I think it’s time we addressed the elephant in the room. How does a space toilet even work? Well, there’s no water in space toilets. Instead, they utilize air flow to draw waste away from the body and into a separate waste container. It’s crucial to ensure it functions accurately, or astronauts could find themselves dealing with a very messy situation. In all, it’s a vital piece for astronauts’ daily life and well-being up there in the cosmic landscape. And it seems Mr. Hanks is willing to take care of these essential aspects, while also delving into the nebulous realms beyond our planet.
From Hollywood to Houston
This wouldn’t be Hanks’ first brush with the space domain. His association with NASA can be traced back to his portrayal of astronaut Jim Lovell in the movie “Apollo 13”. Hanks has an undying passion for space exploration and reveres astronauts for their bold endeavors into unknown territories. While promoting “Apollo 13”, he has been vocal about his admiration for these daring adventurers. It served as a stepping stone for his love affair with the cosmos and planted the seed of a dream to also call himself an astronaut one day.
Space Tourism – A Future for Everyone?
Maybe Tom shouldn’t be keeping his hopes too high right now. For someone who misses no opportunity to proclaim his love for space, he politely declined the invitation from Bezos and his Blue Origin crew for a space ride due to the hefty price tag. He explained that his curiosity isn’t matched by his bank account, pointing out the price for commercial space travel still remains beyond reach for most. The burgeoning industry of space tourism and privatized spaceflight does beg the question – will space remain an elusive dream for the masses?
While we wait for advancements and change in the space tourism arena, we’ll have Hanks’ ardent and inspiring passion to remind us of the majestic allure space holds. Ranging from his portrayal of astronauts to his candid revelations about his yearnings for space, Tom Hanks continues to entertain, educate, and fascinate us, both on-screen and off.
