The ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and other science fiction icons are going to be sent to deep space.
Remains of Roddenberry, his wife, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Star Trek actor James Doohan and legendary science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey) will be sent out to deep space on the Sunjammer solar sail, reports NBC News.
The flight, which will take place next year, was organized by Celestis in Houston, which has been sending remains to space for years. The company has previously sent up remains from Roddenberry and Doohan, but this is the first time they’ll be going to deep space.
According to Yahoo Movies, the Sunjammer will orbit the sun between Earth and Venus.
Roddenberry, his wife and Doohan will be represented by ashes. Majel Barrett Roddenberry voiced the computer in the original Trek series and appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Doohan played engineer Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott.
A single strand of Clarke’s hair will be included. Celestis CEO Charles Chafer told NBC News that Clarke said, “I'd give you more, but I don't have anything to spare.” The name sunjammer was also coined by Clarke for a vehicle in a 1963 short story.