SpaceX is ready to launch its Transporter-14 rideshare mission carrying over 150 capsules containing DNA and human remains. The launch will happen on Monday, June 23, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch window opens at 2:18 p.m. Pacific Time.
A Houston company called Celestis is sending a special memorial payload on this mission. Since 1994, Celestis has been offering space burial services by sending DNA and remains of loved ones, pets, and famous people into space.
For this flight, Celestis teamed up with The Exploration Company, a European spacecraft maker. Their spacecraft, named “Mission Possible,” will carry the capsules filled with cremated remains and DNA from customers around the world.
The capsules, called “Perseverance Flight,” will orbit Earth two or three times. Then, they will reenter the atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean. After recovery, the capsules will be returned to families as keepsakes. This marks Celestis’ 12th Earth orbit mission and 25th space mission overall.
Celestis CEO Charles Chafer said this mission offers a new type of space burial. “Our capsules will orbit Earth and return, creating a spectacular liftoff and recovery experience,” he said.
A special participant is Matteo Barth, a three-year-old boy who will become the youngest European to send his DNA into space. His DNA will join that of his late grandfather, Dieter Barth, to honor his passion for space.
The Falcon 9 rocket used for Transporter-14 will fly its 26th booster, which has been used on many past missions. After launch, the booster will land on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
Besides the memorial capsules, Transporter-14 will carry 70 other payloads, including small satellites, cubesats, microsats, and other space vehicles.
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