In 1991, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenerry endorsed the triple-star system 40 Eridani as the sun of the planet Vulcan, home of Mr. Spock. Now, NASA is planning a mission called SIM PlanetQuest that will scan 40 Eridani for signs of planets that could sustain life. The primary star, 40 Eridani A, shows the possibility that a planet of mass similar to Earth’s could have formed there. The system is 16 light years from Earth. SIM Planet Quest is scheduled to launch in 2015. Link