The impact of Star Trek can be seen all over entertainment and pop culture, but it would not be possible without the mind of Gene Roddenberry and the crew of the original USS Enterprise. To honor this legacy, the remains of Roddenberry and four of the original series' castmates will be sent off into space to as part a special funeral into the final frontier.
Celestis Memorial Spaceflights will be conducting the launch on Monday that will see the Star Trek alums' remains blasted off into space alongside the remains of 330 others, including George Washington and John F. Kennedy according to Los Angeles Magazine. Remains of original Star Trek actors Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, and Majel Barrett Roddenberry will join the franchise's creator in being spread among the stars.
The remains will be loaded into vessel, fittingly dubbed Enterprise, atop a Vulcan rocket and will launch from the United Launch Alliance pad in Florida. It will be the 20th mission conducted by Celestis since it began launching cremated remains and DNA samples into space in 1997.
Celestis founder Charles M. Chafer shared his excitement at Roddenberry and several of the original series' late castmates being part of this latest launch.
One of the great moments of my life was lunch with Gene Roddenberry,” Chafer told LA Magazine. “It was an opportunity to meet my hero.”
The launch has even Star Trek fans excited, many of whom are gathering to witness the launch early Monday morning.
“I think it's about time the great bird of the galaxy, and friends, were recognized,” longtime fan Mark Sullivan told Fox 35 Orlando. “They will live forever in space.”
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