Science fiction news from Space.com

Discovery News on World War Z wasn't the only science fiction news covered this week.  Space.com had quite a bit of it, beginning with a follow-up to Rescuing the Star Trek past and Rescuing the Star Trek past, continued, 'Star Trek' Fans Unveil Restored Galileo Shuttlecraft | Video.

'Star Trek' superfans Adam and Leslie Schneider unveil the fully restored Galileo shuttlecraft, a life-size prop from the iconic 1960s TV science fiction series while fans cheer on June 22, 2013. The Galileo will be donated to Space Center Housto[n.]

The story by Tariq Malik at Space.com that accompanies this video is 'Star Trek' Superfans Restore Galileo Shuttlecraft to 1960s Sci-Fi Glory.

A life-size spaceship prop from TV's original "Star Trek" series, once lost and in shambles, has been lovingly restored to its former glory by die-hard fans so it can live long and prosper as a museum piece.

After nine months of restoration, the Galileo shuttlecraft — a life-size spaceship prop from the iconic 1960s science fiction TV series — was publicly unveiled last week in a ceremony amid loud cheers from a crowd of "Star Trek" fans and friends on hand to see the ship before its sendoff to its final frontier. It shipped off Space Center Houston, the visitor's center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Wednesday (June 26).

"This is amazing," "Star Trek" superfan Adam Schneider told a crowd of more than 350 friends and fellow fans as he unveiled the restored Galileo on June 22 in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. Schneider bought the huge Trek spaceship prop at auction with the specific goal of restoring it and donating it to a museum for the public to enjoy. "Despite spending [nearly] 50 years basically outdoors, for a prop built to last a year or two, she's ready for her next journey."

Follow over the jump for more science fiction news, including the latest on the newly continued Star Wars franchise.

Newsarama via Space.com: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Casting Details Revealed
by Albert Ching, Newsarama Staff Writer
Date: 21 June 2013 Time: 11:21 AM ET

It looks like we're finally getting some details on what to expect from Star Wars: Episode VII, the J.J. Abrams-directed first film of both the sequel trilogy and the Disney/Lucasfilm era.

First seen on Bleeding Cool — who call the following "100 precent confirmed" — here are casting breakdowns of what's described as 'lead characters" for the film, with casting reportedly starting on Wednesday in the United Kingdom:

May The Force be with the casting directors and actors.

Space.com: TV's 'Futurama' Launches Final Episodes Tonight
by Mike Wall, SPACE.com Senior Writer
Date: 19 June 2013 Time: 06:30 AM ET

It's the end of the road yet again for "Futurama."

The second half of the final season of the animated science fiction series launches tonight (June 19) on Comedy Central, beginning the latest swan song for a show that's famous for coming back from the dead.

"If it is the end, we feel good," series executive producer David X. Cohen said during a conference call with reporters earlier this month. "It will be our best 'last season ever' ever."

As Professor Farnsworth would say...


Space.com: Science Fiction in Space: 6 New Movies to Watch in 2013
by Miriam Kramer, SPACE.com Staff Writer
Date: 14 June 2013 Time: 10:43 AM ET

From the terrifying to the heroic, this summer and fall are full of space action on the big screen.

Here are six movies you should be on the lookout for during the hot summer months and brisk autumn ones.

I've already stated my opinion of the casting for the Man of Steel movie, but I'd like to hear more.  As for the rest, happy viewing!