Beloved Labrador’s Ashes Reach Orbit on Inaugural Perseverance SpaceX Flight
This past weekend marked a heartfelt milestone as the ashes of Franz, a cherished family Labrador, were sent into space alongside 165 other capsules in a unique memorial mission. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, spotlighting an emotional tribute that soared beyond Earth's bounds.
A Final Journey for Franz
Franz lived a joyful life for 13 years before passing away in October 2020. His owner, Harvin Moore, fondly recalls Franz as "the best dog, just so soft and nice and loved hugs." To Moore’s children, Elizabeth and Quinn, Franz was more than a pet — he was family.
"We can't wait to watch our good boy go galactic," Moore shared ahead of the flight, underscoring the significance of this celestial farewell for a family passionate about space exploration.
The Flight and Its Unique Payload
The memorial flight, operated by Texas-based Celestis Inc., launched 166 small capsules, each containing DNA or cremated remains of people and pets, into low Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission lasted about three hours, during which the capsules completed two orbits around the planet at speeds nearing 28,000 km/h.
Following orbital flight, the rocket safely re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Hawaii. A recovery vessel was strategically stationed to retrieve the capsules, which were then transported to Germany for processing. Families can expect to receive their loved ones’ remains within two months.
Cost and Emotional Impact
Sending each capsule into orbit cost approximately $3,500 (roughly over Rs 3 lakh). Although Moore admits this was "a lot more" than Franz's monetary value, the gesture was priceless for the family.
He elaborated, "The emotional power of being with a group celebrating the life of a loved one in this way is amazing. It's nothing we'll ever forget — pure joy." This sentiment encapsulates the healing possibility space memorials represent for many grieving families.
A Legacy of Space Memorials
Celestis, based in Houston, has a long-standing tradition of sending human and pet remains into space. Their flights have honored numerous iconic figures, including stars and creators from the "Star Trek" universe and pioneers behind legendary films like 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The prestigious roster of those memorialized also features symbolic remains of four former US presidents and distinguished individuals such as Douglas Trumbull, a visionary in cinematic visual effects.
Memorial Capsules Designed for Space
The capsules themselves are miniature marvels crafted from titanium or aluminum, measuring roughly a quarter to half an inch. Encapsulating DNA or cremated remains, these tiny tributes orbited Earth aboard a 23-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket, a testament to melding technology with heartfelt remembrance.
Honoring Diverse Lives in Orbit
Besides Franz, the Perseverance Flight carried the ashes of aerospace engineer Wesley Dreyer, recognized for his work on the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster investigation, alongside the living DNA of a young child from Germany. This varied manifest symbolizes the wide-reaching human desire to connect with the cosmos in a lasting way.
Looking Beyond Grief to Joy
Charles Chafer, CEO and co-founder of Celestis, emphasized, "Many people whose ashes and DNA are flying always dreamed of reaching space during their lives but never could. This journey helps families transform grief into joy." As space memorial flights continue, they offer a profound new chapter in how we honor legacies.
