Gloria Knowlan, a devoted “Star Trek” fan from Vancouver, will have a portion of her ashes launched into deep space as part of a memorial space flight organized by Celestis Inc. Known for her passion for “Star Trek,” Knowlan collected replica starships and adorned her Christmas tree with a homemade alien spacecraft each year. Aboard the rocket, set to launch on January 8, approximately 250 capsules of human remains, DNA samples, and other memorials will journey into deep space. Knowlan, who passed away at the age of 86, will join the celestial journey alongside “Star Trek” stars, including Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, and James Doohan.
The rocket, named Vulcan, operated by Celestis Inc., will test its capabilities for potential commercial spacecraft landings on the moon, marking the company’s first venture into deep space. Charles Chafer, the CEO of Celestis Inc., highlighted that the capsules won’t eventually fall to Earth, offering a unique memorial in “deep space.” This distinctive memorial space flight reflects a shift towards personalized and non-traditional approaches to celebrating lives.
The journey, known as the enterprise flight, offers a secondary purpose by leaving some capsules at the moon while others continue traveling further afield. Trips like these, combining space exploration with memorial services, became feasible due to advancements in technology. Celestis flights have previously carried the ashes of “Star Trek” stars, but this deep space mission adds a new layer of significance. Widows of “Star Trek” stars, including Wende Doohan, expressed their late spouses’ lifelong desire to journey into space, emphasizing the poignancy and emulation of the spirit of “Star Trek.”