"They'll ask for my opinion, and I'll nod my head and say very wisely, 'You're on the right track'," he told the Huntsville Times at the event.

Nimoy told the paper that space exploration is paramount for humanity's future, even in light of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

"I don't doubt that we should. That's what we do - we explore. There's always the hope that somewhere down the road we'll learn something that will stop war."

The Spock actor said he was excited to learn of the rescue of American POW Private First Class Jessica Lynch earlier this week.

"I'm a feminist," he said. "I believe in women moving to whatever level of work they can reach or handle."

Naturally, Nimoy was also promoting his latest book, SHEKHINA, which celebrates the spirituality of the female form in black and white photographs. The actor talks about the project in the full interview.

Thanks to 'Angie Hood' for the news.