NASA/TREK

How Star Trek came to represent both scientific perfection and sexual experimentation in modern-day America

While highlighting the obstacles blocking women's entry not only into space, but into the general fields of science and technology, the book shows how women have nevertheless managed to get into space both imaginatively and literally, as through "Star Trek", NASA and Biosphere 2.This wry and highly readable investigation of the role of space travel in popular imagination looks at the way NASA has openly borrowed from the TV show Star Trek to reinforce its public standing. It also celebrates the work of a group of the show's fans who rewrite its storylines in porno-romance fanzines. Constance Penley advocates that scientific experimentation be accompanied by social and sexual experimentation, and devoted to exploring inner as well as outer space.