SPACE-STATION SALUTE Astronaut gives 'Mr. Spock' farewell salute from orbit

Published February 28, 2015

A NASA astronaut on board the International Space Station tweeted a picture Saturday from orbit of a 'Vulcan' hand salute as a tribute to actor Leonard Nimoy, known best for his 'Star Trek' role as 'Mr. Spock.'

Nimoy, who died Friday at 83, of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his Los Angeles home, with family at his side, said his son, Adam Nimoy.

His final public statement, last Sunday on Twitter, was thoughtful and bittersweet.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory," he wrote, followed by his customary "LLAP" signoff - shorthand for "Live long and prosper," Spock's catch phrase.

The reaction to his death was swift, on Earth and in space.

Astronaut Terry W. Virts tweeted out the Vulcan hand salute from the space station with Earth's blue seen through the window. He was joined by Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti who tweeted, "Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Spock!" tweeted Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, aboard the International Space Station.

William Shatner, whose often-emotional Captain Kirk was balanced by the composed Nimoy.

"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love,"

President Barack Obama said, "I loved Spock."

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SPACE-STATION SALUTE Astronaut gives 'Mr. Spock' farewell salute from orbit