A Vancouver 'Star Trek' Fan's Ashes Are Going to Space

They'll be flown deep into the cosmos alongside remains of creator Gene Roddenberry

Photo: yentov via FreeImagesLive (Enterprise)

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Jan 4, 2024

In an act of remembrance immeasurably better than being lobbed onstage at a P!nk concert, the family of a Vancouver Star Trek fan will have her ashes flown to outer space in memoriam.

As the Canadian Press reports, the late Gloria Knowlan will have a small quantity of her ashes launched into space aboard a rocket this month. The rocket, launched by American space memorial company Celestis, is projected to wind up approximately 330 million kilometres from Earth, with Knowlan's ashes "among approximately 250 capsules of human remains, DNA samples and other memorials" onboard, per CP.

Notably, Knowlan's flight — fittingly named Enterprise — is also set to carry "remains or DNA samples" of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, along with stars of the original Star Trek series like Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley and James Doohan, her fellow Canadian who portrayed Montgomery "Scotty" Scott.

A memorial page hosted by Celestis notes how Knowlan, who passed away in 2011 at age 86, had her love of all things Star Trek deepen after the passing of Edward Knowlan, her husband of 57 years.

Knowlan's family write of how she "attended Star Trek conventions, collected posters and cards, and even had Star Trek ornaments on her Christmas tree" as part of her fandom, with son Rod Knowlan sharing with CP, "She was a fan of Gene Roddenberry's and she loved whatever work that he did."
 
As a publication heavily involved with music, we'd be remiss not to mention Knowlan's family highlighting her love of sonic explorers, including Alan Parsons Project, the Beatles and Pink Floyd

Knowlan's rocket takes off from Cape Canaveral, FL, on January 8. The Canadian Press notes that the launch will mark the first Celestis trip into "deep space," meaning the 250 capsules onboard won't eventually fall to Earth.

In more recent Trekkie news, Star Trek: Discovery will have its fifth and final season air later this year.

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