Mumbai: NASA and Disney have signed a Space Act Agreement for a series of educational and public outreach activities related to Disney-Pixar’s new movie Wall-E, opening in theatres nationwide on 27 June.

This collaboration highlights the similarities between the movie’s storyline and NASA’s real-life work in robot technology, propulsion systems and astrophysics. Disney-Pixar’s WALL-E is set 700 years in the future. The film’s main character is the only rover-robot left on Earth. He meets a new robot named Eve, and together they take a journey through the universe.

"Great ideas for future exploration of the universe start with the imagination," said NASA chief of strategic communications Robert Hopkins. "We hope that with the help of our new robot friend Wall-E, NASA can encourage young people to learn about science and technology and become the explorers of tomorrow."

Disney has designed a 30-second public service announcement featuring Wall-E for NASA’s television channels and web site. The video is designed to draw students to NASA’s web site to explore the agency’s missions. The Wall-E character also will be featured on NASA’s Kids’ Club page.

For the World Premiere of Wall-E, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., will be showcasing some of the latest in rover and lander technology, highlighting the recent Phoenix mission, as well as the upcoming Mars Science Laboratory mission. Starting 27 June and running through 27 August, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood will host a special NASA space exploration display.

Walt Disney president Mark Zoradi said, "All of us at Disney are delighted to be working with NASA in their educational and public outreach efforts. Wall-E is one of the most lovable and entertaining characters that Pixar ever has created, and he is the perfect spokes-robot for this program. Disney-Pixar’s Wall-E takes moviegoers on a thrilling and imaginative journey into outer space."