Star Trek’s Scotty’s Last Ride Into Final Frontier Set

And now real life has mirrored that fiction, more than a year after the man who played the memorable character passed away.

James Doohan, who took on the role of the Enterprise’s chief engineer in both the TV show and the follow-up movies, died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease in 2005. Since then, plans to shoot his remains into the great beyond have hit a snag.

The rocket designed by a company called Space Services simply wasn’t ready for prime time and in a move Scotty would appreciate, was sent back for more tests. But now the firm insists it’s all systems go and will be sending the ashes of Doohan to his final resting place this October.

It’s a dream the late actor always cherished. “He finally gets his wish…as his remains will be launched on their Falcon I rocket,” his wife Wende notes on the company’s website.

And the actor won’t be alone. At least 100 others who’ve paid the price for the journey into the final frontier – including former astronaut Gordon Cooper – will also be along for the ride.

The first flight will be only temporary, and will return to Earth with all the remains. Another journey will send the late pioneers into the void for good in December or January. Their essences will stay in space for several years, before meeting their final end in our atmosphere.

“Whatever goes up must come down,” explains Space Services’ Susan Schonfeld.

The October 21st event will be marked with a huge tribute to the Canadian actor, with thousands expected to show up in Star Trek costumes and regalia. “Fan clubs from all over the world, including as far away as Africa, they’re ready,” Schonfeld confirms.

“I can’t think of a more fitting send off than having some of his fans attend this, his final journey,” his widow concludes. “If you wish to send a few words of tribute, they will be digitized and sent with Jimmy, as part of the payload on this launch.” (To add your message, click here.)

It’s not the first time the company has sent a Trekker into the great beyond. Space Services also launched the remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry into orbit in 1997.

  • So how much does a ‘burial’ in space cost? A lot depends on how many people you’re sending and where you want them to end up. The company lists a series of charges on its website ranging from $495 (US) for a return flight to $1,295 for a fulltime Earth orbit. Shoot for the moon or deep space and the cost is even more astronomical – it will set you back between $12,500 and $67,495.

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