That's right: you can give your loved on a little boost to the heavens, thanks to Celestis Inc., a Texas-based aerospace company. I have to admit, the idea did make me chuckle a bit when I first stumbled upon Celestis' site...but it is a very unique way to go down (or up). And the company looks impressive: they've been around for 30 years and were the first private company to launch into outer space (1982).

Past (or maybe I should say “passed”) clients include Timothy Leary and James Doohan. Notable clients that are scheduled for an upcoming trip are Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife Majel Barrett Roddenberry, who will be launched together in 2012. Off they go to the final frontier!…it does seem appropriate. But how long will they stay in orbit? This depends on the altitude of the primary satellite (a memorial spacecraft is a “secondary payload” aboard a mission). The orbital life span for Celestis satellites range from two years to several hundred years. After the launch you’ll be able to reference the estimated orbit time for the mission on the dedicated flight web page, and you can even track the satellite in real-time!

So, how does it work?
A few grams of the deceased person’s remains are placed in a capsule (the exact amount depends on the service selected). Next, they are positioned inside Celestis spacecraft, which is attached to a rocket and launched into space.

“Each spacecraft stays permanently attached to a rocket stage that orbits Earth until the spacecraft harmlessly re-enters and is completely consumed by Earth’s atmosphere — blazing like a shooting star in final tribute to the passengers aboard,” states the website poetically.

You’ll also receive a video of the launch so you can relive the experience, if you like.

Dr. Eugene Shoemaker near the sight of the Manson (Iowa). Photo from USGS website

Celestis also boasts the first lunar burial (1999). In a press release titled “Lunar Surface Can Now Provide a Final Resting Place for All Mankind” the company announced their partnership with Odyssey Moon Limited and Astrobotic Technology, Inc. to launch cremated remains to the surface of the Moon. The release states that “The Luna Service reaches out to Earth’s nearest neighbor for a uniquely compelling location to remember a special life.”

In 1999 Celestis worked with NASA, which requested the company’s assistance in placing Dr. Eugene Shoemaker’s remains on board NASA’s Lunar Prospector mission. Ultimately, some of Dr. Shoemaker 's remains were “intentionally impacted into the Moon’s south pole.”

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