Gene Roddenberry was the creator of Star Trek, one of the finest science fiction inventions ever to capture the public imagination. He died back in 1991 and in 1997 some of his ashes were launched into space by a Houston based company called Celestis who specialise in space burials.
His widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry died recently and she was heavily involved in the franchise, appearing in the pilot episode and in various parts throughout the years most recently as the voice of the computer in the upcoming Star Trek film due to be released this summer. As a fitting tribute to the couple their ashes will be launched into space in 2012.
Celestis have conducted a number of space burials and the writer Timothy Leary and Start Trek actor James Doohan were both cremated with their ashes being launched into space to orbit the earth. They also sent the remains of scientist Eugene Merle Shoemaker to their final resting place on the moon back in 1998 aboard NASA’s Lunar Prospector.
Celestis offer a number of services for people who want to send their loved ones remains into the unknown. Prices range from $695 into the thousands and options on the website offer the Earth Rise Service, which is a spaceflight with a return to earth as well as earth and lunar orbit options and the chance to be buried on the moon. Their most expensive option is the Voyager Service which launches remains into deep space. Prices are based on the weight of ashes sent and the service is touted as a chance for the deceased to be at one with the cosmos.
Their next flight is scheduled for this year and family and friends can attend the launch to view their loved ones remains blasting off. You can even keep tabs on their memorial spacecraft orbiting the earth. Small portions of the remains are stored in lipstick sized capsules engraved with their name and a personal message. The orbiting satellites will eventually return to earth although it could take hundreds of years. The website even offers the option to view the earth from the satellites.
It may seem like a strange idea but the service is reportedly very popular. They have sent the remains of various people into the stars from astronauts to accountants and although some families have opted for privacy there are pages on their website listing some of the participants who have been launched. They offer the service to anyone willing to pay the fee and they employ representatives in various countries around the world.
They are planning further burials on the moon and the website is currently taking orders. The company apparently plans to create a kind of lunar cemetery and there are speculations that with the advance of commercial space flights relatives may one day be able to visit the graves.
Celestis traces its roots to another company, Space Services Inc. of America who made history as the first private enterprise to launch a rocket into outer space. They also run a non-profit organisation called the Celestis Foundation dedicated to exploring the universe.