"We don't have a Death Star, but we do have floating robot assistants on the space station, a President who knows his way around a light saber and advanced (marshmallow) cannon, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is supporting research on building Luke's [robotic] arm, floating droids, and quadruped walkers," Shawcross wrote.

"We are living in the future!" Shawcross wrote. "Enjoy it. Or better yet, help build it by pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field."

The Administration and NASA have both been working to spur interest in science, math, engineering and technology among students.

"If you do pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with us!" Shawcross concluded. "Remember, the Death Star's power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force."

With the Death Star officially the table, there is another science fiction spaceship petition that could draw a White House response.

Last month, an engineer writing as BTE Dan launched a petition to build a real-life Starship Enterprise from the "Star Trek" TV series. So far, 5,973 have signed the petition, so it still has a ways to go to prompt a White House response. The petition's deadline is January 21.

For Shawcross's full response to the Death Star response, visit: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/isnt-petition-response-youre-looking

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8 Comments

1. 1. diducthat 09:02 AM 1/16/13

   Does the government not have any serious work to do? I could suggest a couple of important issues that they could be occupying their time with, rather than spending public money replying to time wasters.

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2. 2. levet1066 10:21 AM 1/16/13

   Lighten up, the government is required by law to respond to such petitions once the number of people signing it hits 25,000. The complete responce in posted on Wireds' site and is actually pretty funny. It was in my view an appopriat responce to a silly petition

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3. 3. edwardwstanley@hotmail.com 07:07 PM 1/16/13

   My counter proposal I think is a reasonable alternative.
   
   https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/bring-back-firefly/wH699Xx4

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4. 4. PatrickR 03:19 PM 1/17/13

   What an ignorant waste of time to even have a debate or give serious consideration to such a thing. We spend enough money creating Atom-Bombs,Cobalt-Bombs,Hydrogen-Bombs,Neutron-Bombs and lord knows what else. Can't we get away from weapons of mass destruction and start spending money on life instead of death.

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5. 5. Wayne Williamson 06:48 PM 1/17/13

   Very much enjoyed this one....

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6. 6. greenhome123 10:14 PM 1/17/13

   While the Death Star idea is funny, it made me think of something we probably should be focusing more on which which is asteroid/comet impact avoidance.

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7. 7. Oldineluctable 05:52 PM 1/18/13

   BO is desperate to keep America weak and behind. His plan is to do as much damage to the military and the economy as possible. HOw unuasua for an American to deliberatley hurt America as BO has done.

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8. 8. Wayne Williamson 05:56 PM 1/18/13

   @7 Oldineluctable...what a bunch of crap...

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