SpaceX to launch 150 capsules of ashes and DNA into space; here's why people are doing it
In a mission that blends space exploration with personal tribute,
SpaceX
is preparing to launch over 150 capsules containing cremated human remains and DNA samples into low Earth orbit on June 23. The launch is part of the Transporter 14 rideshare mission and features a collaboration between Houston-based space burial company Celestis and European spacecraft firm The Exploration Company (TEC). Dubbed the Perseverance Flight, the symbolic journey allows families from around the world to send loved ones, or a piece of themselves, into space, either in memoriam or as a legacy of cosmic curiosity. This unique mission will orbit Earth before reentering and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX mission turns final farewells into orbital journeys
Since 1994, Celestis has pioneered
space burial services
, offering people the chance to honour their loved ones with a final journey beyond Earth. The Perseverance Flight represents the company's 25th mission and 12th 'Earth Rise' flight, in which remains are sent into orbit and then returned. Unlike deep space or lunar memorials, this Earth orbit mission allows the capsules to be recovered, giving families a keepsake that has truly travelled through space.
A diverse passenger list, from pets to presidents
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless
medalmerit
Learn More
Undo
Celestis has previously flown the remains and DNA of celebrities, pets, and even historical icons. Past missions have included symbolic remains of U.S. presidents like George Washington and John F. Kennedy, as well as Star Trek legends such as Gene Roddenberry and Nichelle Nichols. This time, among the participants is 3-year-old Matteo Barth, who will become the youngest European to send DNA into space, symbolically joining his late grandfather, a space enthusiast.
How the mission works
The memorial capsules will be housed inside TEC's Mission Possible spacecraft, which will launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. After reaching orbit, the capsule will complete two or three circuits around Earth before reentry. The payload will then splash down in the Pacific, where recovery teams will retrieve it and return the capsules to families as space-flown mementoes.
Why people are choosing space burials
For many, sending DNA or ashes into space offers a meaningful, personalised way to honour someone who loved science, exploration, or the cosmos. Others see it as a way to symbolically become part of humanity's spacefaring future. The act turns remembrance into an extraordinary voyage, often fulfilling lifelong dreams of touching the stars, if only in symbolic form.
This is TEC's second demonstration mission before the debut of its Nyx Earth orbital vehicle, planned to dock with the ISS by 2028. For Celestis, the partnership represents new possibilities in accessible space memorials. As commercial spaceflight becomes more routine, missions like this reflect how deeply space has entered the realm of human storytelling and legacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin sends 80‑year‑old Indian businessman and others into space
founder Jeff Bezos-owned rocket company Blue Origin has successfully sent an 80-year-old Indian businessman, Arvinder 'Arvi' Singh Bahal, into space as part of its latest mission. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The seasoned world traveller was among a crew of six passengers who embarked on a recent 10-minute journey into outer space. The mission, designated NS-34, was the 34th flight for the New Shepard program. The rocket launched from a private site in West Texas. Joining Bahal on the space tourism flight was cryptocurrency billionaire Justin Sun, who had reportedly paid $28 million for his seat back in 2021. Bahal and Sun were also joined by Turkish entrepreneur and photographer Gökhan Erdem; Puerto Rican journalist and meteorologist Deborah Martorell; British national Lionel Pitchford, who has operated an orphanage in Nepal for over 30 years; and American businessman James (JD) Russell. What Blue Origin said about its latest flight In a post-flight statement shared on the company's blog post, Phil Joyce, senior VP of Blue Origin's New Shepard, said: 'It was an honour to see so many nations represented on our flight today. The view of our fragile planet from space has a unifying effect on all who witness it, and I am always eager to see how our astronauts use this experience for the benefit of Earth.' NS-34 marked the 14th crewed mission of Blue Origin's New Shepard, a suborbital spaceflight system featuring a reusable rocket and capsule. After launch, the rocket returns to Earth for a vertical landing, similar to how Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's Falcon 9 touches down. Meanwhile, the capsule descends gently using parachutes. Each flight lasts around 10 to 12 minutes, during which passengers cross the Kármán line, which is 100 kilometres above sea level and the widely accepted boundary of space. This brief journey allows for a few minutes of weightlessness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ticket pricing for these flights remains undisclosed, so it's unclear how much passengers typically pay. However, it is believed to be significantly less than what crypto billionaire Sun paid in 2021. According to Blue Origin, that payment was made as a philanthropic donation. New Shepard continues to offer short yet impactful space experiences for civilian astronauts eager to witness Earth from the edge of space.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Dhruva Space to launch first commercial mission with Aussie partners
LEAP-1 BENGALURU: Spacetech startup Dhruva Space is set to launch its first commercial mission, LEAP-1, in the third quarter of 2025 aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. The mission, a landmark for the 2012-founded Hyderabad-based company, will host advanced AI and hyperspectral imaging payloads from Australian firms Akula Tech and Esper Satellites on Dhruva's indigenously developed P-30 satellite platform . The mission follows Dhruva's successful in-orbit qualification of its P-30 bus on Isro's PSLV-C58 in January 2024 and marks its transition from technology demonstration to commercial operations. LEAP-1 will integrate Dhruva's hosted payload services with its Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) and Integrated Space Operations & Command Suite (ISOCS) for real-time mission management and data downlinking. 'This mission signifies a new era in AI-powered satellite technology to support defence, emergency response, climate monitoring and other strategic objectives,' said Preetham Akula, CEO of Melbourne-based Akula Tech. The company's Nexus-01 payload will test an onboard AI module capable of real-time data processing and re-training, potentially reducing decision-making timelines for critical missions. Esper Satellites, meanwhile, will deploy its hyperspectral imager OTR-2, aimed at delivering detailed, spectrally-rich Earth observation data for sectors including agriculture, mining and environmental monitoring. 'Launching OTR-2 on Dhruva's platform proves that advanced hyperspectral technology can be both accessible and cost-effective,' said Shoaib Iqbal, co-founder and CEO of Esper Satellites. Dhruva Space co-founder and CEO Sanjay Nekkanti said the collaboration reflects the company's global ambitions. 'Following our successful qualification of the P-30 platform, we are excited to take this capability to the international market. Partnering with Akula and Esper creates remarkable opportunities for Indo-Australian space cooperation while driving down costs and fostering a global commercial space economy,' he said. The mission also underscores Dhruva's growing role in India's private space ecosystem, with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe. Nekkanti credited a 2022 visit by Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo to Dhruva's Hyderabad office for sparking the collaboration. LEAP-1 represents the first step in Dhruva Space's series of hosted payload missions, which the company says has already drawn interest from private players in India and Europe. 'This launch is not just about deploying technology. It is about cementing India's position as a fast-growing space power,' Nekkanti added. For Akula Tech, the mission will also provide flight heritage to five of its AI software products, while Esper Satellites sees it as a stepping stone toward building a hyperspectral constellation. Dhruva Space, meanwhile, aims to scale its payload-hosting operations, positioning itself as a key enabler of cost-efficient, globally integrated space missions.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Spacetech startup Dhruva Space to launch maiden commercial mission with Australian collaboration
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Hyderabad-based spacetech startup Dhruva Space is set to launch its first commercial mission, LEAP-1, in collaboration with Australian partners Akula Tech and Esper Satellites. The mission is scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the third quarter of startup on Monday said the LEAP-1 mission will carry two payloads on Dhruva's indigenously developed P-30 satellite platform, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered module from Akula Tech and a hyperspectral imager from Esper Satellites. The mission represents a growing Indo-Australian strategic partnership in the space tech two payloads will have a wide range of applications across defence, disaster response, agriculture, mining, and environmental management. Akula Tech's on-board AI module is designed to process and retrain machine learning models in orbit for earth observation use cases. Esper Satellites' imager will deliver spectrally-rich remote sensing data through its will be Dhruva's first hosted payload mission after successfully testing its P-30 satellite bus in orbit during ISRO 's PSLV-C58 POEM-3 mission in January 2024. 'Dhruva Space's hosted payload offering integrates ground station-as-a-service (GSaaS) and its proprietary Integrated Space Operations and Command Suite (ISOCS) for real-time mission management and payload data downlinking,' the startup said in a startup said it is seeing a growing interest in its payload offerings from customers across India, Europe, and Australia.'Teaming up with our commercial partners in Australia creates remarkable opportunities for Indo-Australian Space business, which will, in turn, foster a long-term partnership. India is already a key economic and regional partner, and we see this mission symbolic of India's status as a fast-growing space programme,' said Sanjay Nekkanti, cofounder, Dhruva space startup credited ISRO and the Australian Space Agency, whose engagement in September 2022 led to meaningful interactions with a delegation of Australian space startups. These discussions helped build long-term Indo-Australian partnerships and support from SpaceX for mission readiness.
