Starbase Indy’s growth since its near death three years ago continues Friday with a roster of guests that features former “Star Trek Voyager” stars and a veteran astronaut.

The three-day event has been an annual Thanksgiving weekend, but after this year the event will be moving to December, according to the pocket schedule for this year’s event at the Marriott East Hotel, 7202 E. 21st St., Indianapolis.

Those attending this year will not only be able to enjoy each others’ good company, but a guest lineup that includes astronaut Dr. David Wolf, who is an Indianapolis native; Tim Russ, who was Tuvok in Voyager and director of “Star Trek: Of Gods and Men; Ethan Phillips, who was Neelix on Voyager; Manu Intiraymi, who was a Borg child on Voyager and the producer of “Zah, a pizza movie;” actress Crystal Allen; and Alena VanArendonk, a costumer and animal trainer.

Wolf, 54, has been a member of six NASA missions. He has appeared at previous Starbase gatherings.

According to his NASA biography, Wolf received his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University, a medical doctorate from Indiana University in 1982 and completed his medical internship in 1983 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed US. Air Force flight surgeon training at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio and has completed U.S. astronaut and Russian cosmonaut training.

He has conducted seven spacewalks, using both American and Russian spacesuits, and has logged 47 hours and 5 minutes of extra-vehicular activity. He is an active public speaker and is called upon to represent NASA in a wide variety of venues to communicate the experience and importance of human spaceflight.

Wolf has logged 168 days, 12 hours, 56 minutes, 04 seconds in space over four separate missions, including long duration (128 day) on the Russian MIR space station, trained and conducted completely in the Russian language.

In addition to the speakers, there will music, movies and more.

The Indianapolis group “Five Year Mission” will perform at 10 pm. Friday after the showing of Intiraymi’s movie. The indie-rock group is planning to write a song based on each episode of the original series. It has just finished the first season and that will be released on album named “Year One.”

A mysterious “Special Surprise” is listed for 11:45 p.m. Friday, following a half-hour setup between it and the band’s performance.

A variety of panel discussions also are on tap for the event with topics ranging from the Klingon language, how to build robots, prop-making with George Lucas-look-alike George Starkey, an SBI film project, and the future of “Battlestar Galactica” following the SyFy Channel’s cancellation of “Caprica.” The annual masquerade will be Saturday night.

Compared to many science fiction and fantasy related conventions, admission is a bargain even on the day of the event. For the entire weekend, admission is $40. Single day prices are Friday, $25; Saturday, $30; and Sunday, $20.

Additionally, there is a $5 admission charge for “Zah.” A dinner with the stars package is sold out.

For more information, go to www.starbaseindy.com

Story comments

No comments on this article yet.

Posting comments on this web site requires you to be logged in.

• Create your account
• Log in to your account