The ashes of the late Nichelle Nichols, who played lieutenant Noyota Uhura on the original Star Trek series, will be sent into deep space.
Celestis, a company that specializes in “memorial spaceflights”, announced that some of Nichelle Nichols’ ashes and DNA will be launched on a rocket called Vulcan. Also on board will be partial remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and “Scotty” himself, James Doohan.
In a statement, Celestis said, “We are truly honored to add a legendary actress, activist, and educator to the Enterprise Flight manifest…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.”
The trailblazing actress, who died in July, had a long history with space. Following her tenure on Star Trek, Nichols helped NASA recruit minorities into the program. One of the new recruits was Sally Ride, the first woman in space.
Nichelle Nichols is often incorrectly tied to what many remember as the first interracial kiss on U.S. TV in the classic season three episode “Plato’s Stepchildren”. (Star Trek itself featured an interracial kiss prior. It might better be described as the first between a white man and Black woman.) Her smooching partner was of course William Shatner (hubba hubba!), who last year, at 90, became the oldest person to travel to space.
Nichols’ legacy shouldn’t be downplayed, however. She was one of the first Black actresses to be featured on a television series, paving the way for countless other stars. Nichols appeared not just in the Star Trek series but also the first six movies, concluding her role in 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
If you’re interested in joining Nichelle Nichols, Celestis’ cost of sending your cremated Earthling butt into deep space is $12,500.