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Ashes of 166 people lost after blunder by firm offering 'funerals in space'
Ashes of 166 people lost after blunder by firm offering 'funerals in space'

Daily Mirror

time08-07-2025

  • Science
  • Daily Mirror

Ashes of 166 people lost after blunder by firm offering 'funerals in space'

The Exploration Company (TEC) is investigating how the ashes were lost during the mission, attempted to have been completed for the American space burial company Celestis The ashes of more than 150 people have been lost - and are unlikely to be recovered - after a company which promises " funerals in space" suffered a catastrophic glitch. The Nyx Mission Possible had seen a module containing the urns orbit the planet twice in late June. It was supposed to return the objects to Earth and the bereaved families but communication with the capsule was lost during re-entry, and it crashed into the Pacific Ocean. ‌ In addition to the 166 human remains, the module also carried plant material and cannabis seeds. The cargo was part of an experiment on the effects of microgravity on the cultivation of the plant, with a focus on future missions to Mars. The mission was carried out by TEC for the American company Celestis, which offers memorial flights to space. ‌ Celestis has now conceded "it will not be possible to recover or return the flight capsules" and TEC has apologised to customers who had "entrusted [them] with their cargo". Celestis' service sees families send ashes or DNA samples of people and pets for a posthumous tribute. After orbiting Earth, the capsule returns. A video of key moments from the mission is provided to commemorate "the day your loved one touched the sky," Celestis says. ‌ The company, founded in 1994, has already sent the remains of people linked to the science fiction work Star Trek into space, including the series' creator, Gene Roddenberry. But the blunder this week saw communications with the capsule lost at an altitude of 26 km (16 miles). An investigation is underway into the loss of contact, after which the device plunged into the Pacific Ocean. In a statement posted on LinkedIn, TEC said: "From an orbital altitude of 550 km (340 miles), the capsule successfully re-entered in a controlled manner, with communication re-established after maximum warm-up. However, communications were lost at an altitude of 26 km, shortly before the phase preceding parachute deployment." In a previous statement, TEC apologised "to all our customers who entrusted us with their cargo." Charles Chafer, CEO of Celestis, which hired TEC, said this was the first mission in which capsules would return to Earth. He said: "As a result of this unexpected event, we believe it will not be possible to recover or return the flight capsules. We share the families' disappointment and offer our sincerest gratitude for their trust. "We hope families will find some comfort in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey. Launched into space, orbiting the Earth, and now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honorable scattering at sea."

Space Capsule Carrying Ashes Of Over 160 Crashes Into Pacific Ocean
Space Capsule Carrying Ashes Of Over 160 Crashes Into Pacific Ocean

NDTV

time08-07-2025

  • Business
  • NDTV

Space Capsule Carrying Ashes Of Over 160 Crashes Into Pacific Ocean

A space capsule carrying the ashes of 166 people crashed into the Pacific Ocean after two successful orbits around the Earth. According to the New York Post, a German startup called The Exploration Company (TEC) launched the Nyx capsule on June 23 as part of the program "Mission Possible". Its cargo included the remains of 166 people, whose ashes were sent into orbit through Celestis, a Texas-based space burial company. However, things didn't go exactly to plan as the capsule encountered an "issue" after its launch and plummeted to Earth, dropping into the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, the company said that the capsule was "launched successfully, powered the payloads nominally in-orbit, stabilized itself after separation with the launcher, re-entered and re-established communication after black out," but then things went off script. As per the New York Post, the company stated that it "lost communication" with the capsule "a few minutes before splash down." It added that it is still "investigating the root cause". "We apologize to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads," the company said in a statement in the letter. "We all hoped for full success; partial success is often part of the road for those who take risks and push boundaries to change the world positively. I take full responsibility and present my apologies to our customers for not achieving full success," said TEC CEO Helene Huby in a LinkedIn Post. Celestis, a Texas-based space burial company which was part of the mission, stated that this was the first Celestis mission in which ashes were "designed to return from orbit". However, it noted that due to the crash into the Pacific Ocean, the ashes were dispersed at sea. As a result of this, they believe that they would "not be able to recover or return the flight capsules aboard." "Though we currently believe that we cannot return the flight capsules, we hope families will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering," the company said in a statement, according to People. Notably, ashes weren't the only thing on board the space capsule. Cannabis plant matter and seeds launched as part of a citizen science project called Martian Grow were also on board the capsule, per the outlet.

Space Capsule With Cannabis Seeds, Ashes Of 166 People Crashes Into The Ocean
Space Capsule With Cannabis Seeds, Ashes Of 166 People Crashes Into The Ocean

News18

time07-07-2025

  • Science
  • News18

Space Capsule With Cannabis Seeds, Ashes Of 166 People Crashes Into The Ocean

After launch, the capsule entered Earth's orbit and completed two rounds. All instruments worked fine, but contact was lost just minutes before its re-entry into the atmosphere In a tragic turn of events, German aerospace startup The Exploration Company (TEC) has announced the failure of its ambitious Mission Possible. Launched on June 23, the mission aimed to return safely after orbiting the Earth twice with the ashes of 166 people and some hemp seeds. However, the capsule, named Nyx, sank into the Pacific Ocean upon its return to Earth. The mission was designed by Texas-based space burial company Celestis, who envisioned not just sending the ashes into space but bringing them back to Earth as a symbolic gesture. After launch, the capsule successfully reached Earth's orbit and completed two orbits, with all onboard instruments functioning properly. However, contact was lost just minutes before its scheduled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It was expected to land safely in the Pacific Ocean, but TEC later confirmed that the capsule had crashed directly into the ocean. No parts or ashes could be recovered. In addition to the human ashes, the capsule contained marijuana seeds as part of the Martian Grow Project, a citizen science mission to explore the feasibility of growing marijuana on Mars. Unfortunately, these seeds are now buried deep in the ocean. Celestis co-founder Charles M. Chafer expressed deep sorrow over the incident, acknowledging the grief of the families involved in the mission. He praised their courage and highlighted the historical significance of their participation. Despite the mission's failure, he said the fact that the ashes of 166 people orbited the Earth remains a respectable achievement. TEC has also recognised the technical shortcomings of the mission but emphasised the valuable lessons learned. The company has committed to launching similar missions in the future, aiming to achieve safe 'return space burials' and chart a new direction in the coming times. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: July 07, 2025, 12:10 IST

German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people
German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people

Times of Oman

time07-07-2025

  • Science
  • Times of Oman

German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people

Bavaria: Bavaria-based startup The Exploration Company (TEC) says it is investigating the loss of a space capsule that was carrying the ashes of 166 people back to their families. The "Nyx Mission Possible" craft had been due to return the ashes to Earth — and the bereaved — after orbiting the planet twice in late June. However, an anomaly occurred and the capsule was lost during its planned re-entry. What did TEC say about the missing capsule? In a statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, TEC said it had re-established communication with the capsule upon reentry — after a standard blackout because of the heat — before losing it again. "From an orbital altitude of 550 kilometers [about 340 miles], the capsule re-entered successfully in a controlled manner, with communication established post maximum heat. Communications were, however, lost at 26 km altitude, just before the transonic phase preceding the opening of the parachutes." "To better understand the outcomes, we have established an independent investigation team. Their findings will be shared with our clients, investors, and internal teams." In an earlier statement, TEC apologised "to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads." What more do we know about the flight? Charles Chafer, co-founder and CEO of the Texas-based "memorial spaceflight" company Celestis, who hired TEC, said it was the first time that such a reentry had been attempted. "As a result of this unforeseen event, we believe that we will not be able to recover or return the flight capsules aboard. We share in the disappointment of our families, and we offer our sincerest gratitude for their trust." "Though we currently believe that we cannot return the flight capsules, we hope families will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering." As well as the human remains, the Nyx capsule had been carrying cannabis plant material and seeds for a citizen science project to study the viability of growing cannabis on Mars. In 2024, Celestis sent the remains of several people connected with the cult series "Star Trek" on a final journey into space, including the series' creator, Gene Roddenberry and his wife, Majel Barret Roddenberry, who was one of the actors.

Where are the dead? Remains of 166 people sent to space lost in the ocean
Where are the dead? Remains of 166 people sent to space lost in the ocean

India Today

time07-07-2025

  • Science
  • India Today

Where are the dead? Remains of 166 people sent to space lost in the ocean

A space memorial mission that aimed to send the remains of 166 people into orbit ended in disappointment and loss, after the capsule carrying the ashes crashed into the Pacific Ocean and became mission, a collaboration between Houston-based space burial company Celestis and European partner The Exploration Company, was part of SpaceX's Transporter 14 rideshare launch on June 23, flight, named the Perseverance Flight, was designed to offer families a unique cosmic tribute, sending cremated remains and DNA samples into low Earth orbit, where they would circle the planet before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down for recovery. This was to be Celestis' 25th mission and its 12th 'Earth Rise' flight, a service that allows families to retrieve a keepsake that has truly travelled through the memorial took a tragic turn when the capsule failed to complete its planned return and instead plunged into the depths of the confirmed that the remains are now lost at sea and cannot be recovered. 'No technical achievement replaces the profound personal meaning this service holds for our families,' said Celestis CEO Charles M. Chafer, acknowledging the emotional weight of the mission carried a diverse array of tributes, including ashes and DNA from people around the world, and even honored the youngest German to send his DNA into space, Matteo the years, Celestis has sent the remains of celebrities, scientists, and ordinary individuals into space, offering a new way to memorialise loved ones beyond Earth's the setback, The Exploration Company has vowed to learn from the experience and attempt another launch in the loss highlights both the promise and the risks of space memorial services, which have grown in popularity as more families seek extraordinary ways to commemorate their loved now, the remains of those aboard the Perseverance Flight rest at the bottom of the Pacific.- Ends

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