Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols’ ashes will be blasted into deep space

The ashes of Nichelle Nichols, legendary Star Trek actor, will be blasted into deep space. Nichols broke racial barriers, playing Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original Star Trek television show and died on July 20, 2022, at the age of 89. 

A special Enterprise Mission, later this year, will send her ashes to space, as a celebration of her legacy, New York Post reported. With the journey aboard the Vulcan spaceship, Nichols’ remains will join those of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who died in 1991. 

Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Gene’s wife – also known as the First Lady of Star Trek – chose to have her remains sent to space too. She died in 2008. James Doohan, the late Star Trek actor who died in 2005, will also have his ashes sent into space along with Nichols’. 

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The remains of visual effects maestro Douglas Trumbull will also be on the same flight. He died in February this year. 

Charles M. Chafer, co-founder and CEO of Celestis said in a press release, “We are truly honoured to add a legendary actress, activist, and educator to the Enterprise Flight manifest”, adding, “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.” 

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Nichols’ son, Kyle Johnson, said in his press release, “I’m sure she would have much preferred to go on the shuttle but this is a pretty close second”, adding, “My only regret is that I cannot share this eternal tribute standing beside my mother at the launch”. 

Johnson concluded, “I know she would be profoundly honoured for this unique experience and enthusiastically encourage all of her fans to join us vicariously by contributing your thoughts, affections, memories, NN inspired successes, dreams, and aspirations via email to be launched with her on this flight! WOW!”.