A mission to place the remains of Star Trek's creator and actors has instead become a case of "Lost in Space." In a bold endeavor that has taken a dramatic turn, the Peregrine lunar mission, intended to softly land on the moon, is now stranded in space due to a critical malfunction.

As reported by LiveScience, the Peregrine spacecraft, developed by the American company Astrobotic Technology, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It embarked on its voyage with the ambitious goal of becoming the first private craft to achieve a controlled lunar landing. The Vulcan Centaur rocket that ferried the Peregrine into space has a secondary objective, dubbed the Enterprise mission: it is carrying a symbolic payload: the ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, his wife Majel Barrett, and actors Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, and DeForest Kelley. Alongside these are DNA samples of Presidents George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.

Gizmodo reported this week that just six hours into its maiden flight, a critical anomaly was reported: a propellant leak, which rendered the mission's main objective unattainable. Astrobotic has since attributed this failure to a faulty valve in the spacecraft's propulsion system. This malfunction allowed excessive helium to rush into the oxidizer tank, causing a pressure spike and rupturing the tank.

According to LiveScience, this incident has sparked controversy and discussions about the ethics and symbolism of sending human remains into space. The Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, for instance, openly criticized the mission, arguing that landing human remains on the moon would equate to desecration of a sacred space .

Despite the setback, Astrobotic remains focused on gathering data for future missions, Gizmodo reports. The Peregrine spacecraft, though unable to land on the moon, will continue to operate as a spacecraft for as long as its remaining propellant lasts. This experience provides valuable insights for upcoming missions, including Astrobotic's next lunar lander, Griffin.

The significance of the Enterprise mission, meanwhile, which is continuing its journey as planned, is not as much scientific as symbolic. It is a cultural homage, carrying the remains of individuals who had significantly influenced popular culture and history. The inclusion of Star Trek figures is particularly significant, considering the show's impact on space exploration and its vision of a future where humanity explores the stars.