Celestis, Inc., a memorial space flights company, announced Thursday that it will send some of Nichelle Nichols’ ashes to space — a fitting resting place among the stars for the iconic and history-making “Star Trek” actress.
The tribute will include “launching a symbolic portion of her cremated remains and a DNA sample into deep space” onboard the company’s upcoming historic Enterprise Flight, according to a release.
Nichols was Lieutenant Uhura in the film. “Star Trek,”At the age of 89, she died in July. She was the first Black woman in a leading role in a network television series to portray a character that was not shackled by the stereotypes of Hollywood’s past, breaking barriers for Black women in Hollywood for the years, indeed centuries, to come.
“We are truly honored to add a legendary actress, activist, and educator to the Enterprise Flight manifest,”Charles M. Chafer, CEO and Co-Founder of Celestis, Inc. “Now our Enterprise Flight will have on board the person who most completely embodied the vision of Star Trek as a diverse, inclusive, and exploring universe.”
The release states that the Enterprise Flight will be launched later this year. Nichols will be joined on United Launch Alliance’s “aptly named”Together with other participants in the Vulcan Rocket, “Star Trek”Gene Roddenberry was the creator. His wife, “First Lady of Star Trek” Majel Barrett Roddenberry, beloved “Star Trek”James actor “Scotty”Doohan and VFX master Douglas Trumbull, a Hollywood icon and VFX legend. “a once-in-a-lifetime Star Trek Reunion flight.”
The Enterprise FlightThe capsules will travel 150 million to 300,000,000 kilometers deep into space, well beyond the Earth-Moon systems to interplanetary space. The mission will launch more than 200 flight capsules that contain cremated remains (ashes), greetings messages, and DNA samples from customers around the world. It will take them on an interminable journey through interplanetary space.
Nichols’ son, Kyle Johnson, will submit his DNA to join his mother’s cremated remains on the mission.
“My only regret is that I cannot share this eternal tribute standing beside my mother at the launch.” Said Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson. “I know she would be profoundly honored for this unique experience and enthusiastically encourage ALL of her FANS to join us vicariously by contributing your thoughts, affections, memories, NN inspired successes, dreams, and aspirations via email to be launched with her on this flight! WOW!”
Nichols’ influence in “Star Trek,” led her to be appointed as NASA’s recruiter in chief and spokesperson to bridge the gap between their initial responses for mission specialists. Excellent results were achieved for female and minority candidates in the Space Shuttle and current and future space flight programs.
“Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazing actress, advocate, and dear friend to NASA. At a time when black women were seldom seen on screen, Nichelle’s portrayal as Nyota Uhura on Star Trek held a mirror up to America that strengthened civil rights. Nichelle’s advocacy transcended television and transformed NASA.”Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator. “After Apollo 11, Nichelle made it her mission to inspire women and people of color to join this agency, change the face of STEM and explore the cosmos. Nichelle’s mission is NASA’s mission. Today, as we work to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon under Artemis, NASA is guided by the legacy of Nichelle Nichols.”