Could United Launch Alliance’s May Liftoff Send Nichelle Nichols’ Ashes Into Space?

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch a spacecraft carrying the ashes of Nichelle Nichols, the iconic actress best known for her role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek television series, into space on May 20th. This will mark the first time an individual’s ashes have been launched into space.

The spacecraft, named “The Star Trek: Discovery”, will be launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida and will be powered by an Atlas V rocket. The spacecraft will be carrying a capsule containing the ashes of Nichols, who passed away in January at the age of 85. The capsule will be placed into a low Earth orbit, where it will remain for many years.

The launch of “The Star Trek: Discovery” is being organized by ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and is part of the company’s memorial spaceflight program. The program allows individuals to have their remains launched into space and have them orbit the Earth for many years.

In a statement about the launch, ULA CEO Tory Bruno said, “We are honored to be able to provide this unique opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Nichelle Nichols. Her role as Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek was groundbreaking and her influence on generations of fans is unparalleled. We are proud to be able to provide this special tribute to her.”

The launch of “The Star Trek: Discovery” is significant in many ways. Not only will it be the first time an individual’s ashes have been launched into space, but it is also the first time ULA has launched a spacecraft specifically for a memorial spaceflight.

The spacecraft will be carrying a capsule containing the ashes of Nichelle Nichols, as well as a special message from her family. The message will be engraved on a plaque that will be attached to the spacecraft and will read, “To honor the life and legacy of Nichelle Nichols, an icon of science fiction, an inspiration to women, and a champion of diversity.”

The launch of “The Star Trek: Discovery” will be a momentous occasion for all Star Trek fans, as well as for those who were inspired by Nichols’s life and work. The spacecraft will be visible to the naked eye as it passes over many parts of the world, including Spain, where it will pass over on May 20th.

As the spacecraft passes over Spain, it will be a time for reflection and celebration for all those who knew and loved Nichelle Nichols. Her ashes will be a reminder of her enduring legacy and her impact on generations of fans around the world.

The launch of “The Star Trek: Discovery” is a fitting tribute to Nichols and her career. It is a reminder of her legacy and her influence on generations of fans. It is also a reminder of the power of space exploration and the potential for humanity to explore new frontiers.

The launch of “The Star Trek: Discovery” is a momentous occasion for all Star Trek fans, as well as for those who were inspired by Nichols’s life and work. On May 20th, ULA will be launching a spacecraft carrying the ashes of Nichelle Nichols into space, a fitting tribute to the legacy of an icon.

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