Brief
NASA shuttle Columbia carried Gene Roddenberry’s ashes into space in 1992
Astronaut James Wetherbee delivered the ashes at the request of Roddenberry’s widow, Majel Barrett, during the STS‑52 flight.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Oct. 22, 1992, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia launched on mission STS‑52 with a small container holding a portion of Gene Roddenberry’s ashes, the creator of "Star Trekk".
What happened
Shuttle commander James Wetherbee, who was also the mission’s pilot, took the container as part of his personal effects after being asked by Roddenberry’s widow, Majel Barrett. The flight lifted off from Kennedy Space Center and completed its scheduled objectives before returning to Earth.
What the reports add
Space.com notes that NASA and the family kept the burial private until 1994, when it was disclosed. The outlet also explains that this was the world’s first “space burial,” a practice later continued by the memorial company Celestis, which launched additional portions of Roddenberry’s ashes in 1997 and has since sent many cremains on sub‑orbital and orbital flights, including on SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets.
What was said
Wetherbee told Newsweek he was "honored to be asked" by Barrett to carry the ashes and added, "I'm just glad I was able to bring a little happiness to the family."
How it came about
Roddenberry had long dreamed of traveling to space, a wish he never fulfilled in life. After his death in 1991, Barrett arranged for a portion of his cremains to accompany a NASA mission, fulfilling that dream nearly a year later.
Key facts
- Gene Roddenberry’s ashes were launched aboard shuttle Columbia on Oct. 22, 1992. (space.com)
- Astronaut James Wetherbee carried the ashes at the request of Roddenberry’s widow, Majel Barrett. (space.com)
- NASA and the family kept the burial secret until 1994. (space.com)
- The flight was part of mission STS‑52, a scheduled NASA shuttle mission. (space.com)
Sources
- [1] space.com — originally reported as “On this day in space! Oct. 22, 1992: Ashes of 'Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry launch into space on NASA shuttle”
