UP Aerospace, Inc. — www.upaerospace.com — a Connecticut-based company and world leader in affordable space access, has announced with Celestis, Inc., a division of Space Services, Inc., a joint venture to conduct regularly scheduled post-cremation memorial space flights.
The first memorial flight, scheduled for October, will include the cremated remains of both James Doohan, the actor who portrayed “Scotty” in the original Star Trek series, and L. Gordon Cooper, an aerospace pioneer and NASA astronaut. The cremated remains of more than 118 other individuals will also be on the space flight.
According to Eric Knight, CEO of UP Aerospace, “We’re truly excited about the venture between our company and Space Services, Inc. The flight efficiency of our SpaceLoft XL vehicle allows Celestis to offer ‘Legacy Flights’ — the lowest-priced memorial space flights ever.” Knight continued, “Our vehicle provides ultra-affordable space access for a wide variety of science, education, and entrepreneurial payloads. If someone can dream of it, we can fly it into space.”
Charles Chafer, CEO of SSI and Celestis, said, “With our Legacy Flights, the dream of spaceflight, and the desire to take part in the opening of the space frontier, can be realized — and available to everyone.” Celestis pioneered post-cremation memorial space flights with the launch of the cremated remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and 60’s pop icon Timothy Leary, and has launched a total of five previous missions.
Celestis missions have included participants from the US, Japan, Germany, Canada, France, Portugal, Russia, The Netherlands, India, and UK. Celestis’ memorial spaceflight services are sold at the Celestis website and through a worldwide network of Funeral homes.
Beginning this September, UP Aerospace will conduct two space launches from New Mexico’s “Spaceport America” — the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. These launches will be followed by the space flight containing the memorial cremated remains. The company is scheduling up to 30 space launches per year. UP Aerospace’s SpaceLoft XL can launch up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) of scientific, educational, and entrepreneurial payloads into space, with an altitude capability of up to 140 miles (225 kilometers).
For more information on UP Aerospace, Inc., and its uniquely affordable space-launch capabilities, visit www.upaerospace.com Or contact UP Aerospace, Inc. at 1-877-UP-UP-321 (1-877-878-7321).
For additional information on the Celestis ‘Legacy Flight’, visit www.Celestis.com
Contact: Eric Knight
CEO
UP Aerospace, Inc.
(860) 673-2502
