America's Legendary Astronauts and the Power Rangers Meet in Space to Salute 40 Years of NASA; First Of Their Kind Action Figures Replicate Astronauts Likenesses.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1998-- In celebration of NASA's 40th anniversary, the accomplishments of some of America's greatest astronauts were saluted today at Space Center Houston with the unveiling of a new line of action figures. To help educate today's youth about the importance of space travel and to celebrate NASA's 40th anniversary, Bandai America, creators of the popular Power Rangers action figure series, has launched a special line of action figures called "Heroes of Space." Astronauts Charles "Pete" Conrad and Alan Bean of Apollo XII and Charles Duke of Apollo XVI, now have their likenesses immortalized. Each Heroes of Space action figure assortment comes with a 5 1/2 inch action figure, fashioned after one of the above astronauts, together with one of the popular Power Rangers in Space action figures.

Children from the MD Anderson Cancer Center were made "Honorary Heroes of Space" after completing Moon Camp at the Space Center Houston. They were personally honored by Charles "Pete" Conrad and Alan Bean, along with live characters from Saban's "Power Rangers in Space" hit television series on Fox Kids Network.

The former astronauts and the Power Rangers initiated each child as an "Honorary Hero of Space." In addition, local elementary school children were invited to an afternoon autograph-signing session and tours of the Mission Status Center.

"Bandai is proud to be affiliated with NASA and its esteemed astronauts," said Brian Goldner, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Bandai America. "Our Power Rangers in Space action figures are popular with kids everywhere, and we are proud to pair them with the images of real astronauts. Forty years of NASA and space exploration is an amazing accomplishment and these men have contributed much to that program. We hope that by bringing the astronauts' likenesses to life, kids will not only enjoy them, but will have a greater incentive to learn about space."

This new line of action figures from Bandai America marks the first time an exact resemblance of an astronaut has been recreated in an action figure. To date, 18 astronauts have agreed to have their likenesses replicated for a Heroes of Space action figure.

The first assortment of Heroes of Space action figures will be sold at major retailers, including Toys R Us, Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart and Kay Bee. Each set is priced at $9.99 (suggested retail).

The initial Heroes of Space assortments include: Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., commander of Apollo XII and third man on the moon, paired with Andros, the Red Power Ranger; Alan Bean, lunar module pilot on Apollo XII and fourth man on the moon, paired with Carlos, the Black Power Ranger; and Charles Duke, lunar module pilot on Apollo XVI and tenth man on the moon, paired with T.J., the Blue Power Ranger.

Each assortment comes with a mini-comic book on the history of the Apollo flight, a trading card and replicas of the following accessories used by the astronauts in their missions: rock box, Hasselblad Camera, helmet and American flag.

The association of former NASA astronauts with Bandai America and Saban is made possible through Universal Spaceworks LLC, an astronaut licensing company. In the company, there are 18 former astronauts representing the history of manned space flight from Mercury through Shuttle. Each astronaut shares royalties and has agreed to contribute a portion of all money earned to a wish foundation for children.

Saban Entertainment created the action adventure Power Rangers television series, which, since it launched on Fox Kids in August 1993 has consistently ranked as the No. 1 weekday franchise on kids broadcast television. Next spring, the "Power Rangers in Space" series transcends all galaxies and becomes "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy."

Bandai America Inc. is Saban's master toy licensee for the Power Rangers and is the creator of this special line of Heroes of Space action figures. Bandai America is a subsidiary of Bandai Co., Ltd. Bandai Co., Ltd. is the third largest toy company in the world. It has 53 subsidiaries in 18 countries worldwide.

Power Rangers in Space and all related logos, names and distinctive likenesses thereof are the exclusive property of Saban Entertainment Inc. and Saban International N.V. Used under license by Bandai America Inc.

Heroes of Space and Universal Spaceworks(TM) and (C) 1998 Universal Spaceworks LLC. All rights reserved. (Alan Bean, Charles Duke, Charles Conrad) Astronauts' names and likenesses are owned by the respective individuals and/or estates, all rights reserved and used under license from Universal Spaceworks LLC.