SpaceX to Launch 150 Capsules Containing Human Ashes Into Orbit
News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 23rd June 2025
In a symbolic and futuristic tribute to the departed, SpaceX is set to launch 150 capsules containing small amounts of cremated human remains into space. This unique memorial initiative is facilitated by companies like Celestis, which specialize in space burials and have been conducting such services since 1994.
Rather than sending entire urns of ashes, each capsule typically carries between 1 to 7 grams of remains. This approach reduces weight and cost, making space memorials more accessible to a wider range of people. These capsules are often launched as secondary payloads aboard commercial rockets, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 being a frequent carrier for such missions.
The upcoming launch will place the capsules into low Earth orbit, where they will remain until atmospheric drag causes them to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. At that point, the capsules will burn up entirely, creating a dramatic and symbolic final farewell in the skies. The concept of a fiery re-entry serves as a poignant metaphor—offering a celestial tribute before the remains return to Earth in a final blaze.
Space burials have previously been used to honor the lives of notable individuals. Among the most well-known are Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper, whose remains were launched into space as part of similar missions. These services typically include memorial ceremonies and may allow families to witness the launch either in person or remotely.
As private space ventures grow in scale and ambition, so do the possibilities for personal tributes like these. With advancements in commercial spaceflight, options that were once reserved for science fiction or the ultra-wealthy are becoming increasingly attainable.
For families and loved ones seeking an unconventional and awe-inspiring send-off, space burials offer a blend of technological marvel and emotional closure—allowing people to memorialize those they’ve lost with a journey beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
