To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, NASA is about to put what may be the ultimate Coolest Gadget into Orbit … Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age, the most famous scifi prop in movie history was given to NASA officials today by a cadre of Star Wars luminaries, including Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, various X-Wing pilots, Jedi and stormtroopers from the Golden Gate Garrison of the 501st Legion.

Accepting the lightsaber in a simple ceremony at Oakland International Airport, NASA’s Space Center Houston Director of Marketing Roger Bornstein thanked the Wookie and his friends and promised to bring it back in one piece and not to activiate it while in orbit.

Luke’s lightsaber will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery which is scheduled on Oct. 23, 2007. Then, after an orbital journey of nearly six million miles it will be returned and temporarily placed on display at the John Space Center.