Nichelle Nichols' remains headed to the final frontier

Nichelle Nichols speaking at the 2013 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Image: Gage Skidmore

AUGUST 29, 2022 - Star Trek fans are no doubt still adjusting to a world without Nichelle Nichols. Nichols died on July 30 and left behind generations of those inspired by her work on Trek and with NASA. But she is not quite done with the final frontier.

According to Space, Nichols’ remains and a DNA sample will be headed to space later this year. The Celestis company, which makes such memorial space flight services commercially available, will be sending many inscribed capsules of cremated remains, DNA samples, and messages from well-wishers into space aboard its “Enterprise Flight.”

“We are truly honored to add a legendary actress, activist, and educator to the Enterprise Flight manifest," Charles Chafer, co-founder and CEO of Celestis, said in a statement. "Now our Enterprise Flight will have on board the person who most completely embodied the vision of Star Trek as a diverse, inclusive, and exploring universe."

Accompanying Nichols’ remains on the flight will be those of Gene and Majel Roddenberry, James Doohan, Douglas Trumbull, and a DNA sample from her son, Kyle Johnson. They will be aboard the Centaur stage of a Vulcan rocket, from United Launch Alliance.

While the main mission of the launch will be to send a lunar lander toward the Moon, the Centaur stage will continue into deep space, beyond the Earth-Moon system. Fans can also add their tributes to those going on the flight.

Head over to Space for more on Nichelle Nichols and the Enterprise Flight.