The remains of iconic Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols will be launched into space.
Last month, 89-year-old Nichelle Nichols, who played Nyota Uhura in the 1960s Star Trek series, passed away. But her soul will live on just as her legendary character did — in space.
PC Mag reports her ashes will join others on a U.S.S. Enterprise trip to space, where her ashes will be released into the galactic abyss. Her remains will first be taken onto the Vulcan Centaur rocket as part of a joint partnership with United Launch Alliance and Lockheed Martin.
Nichols’ ashes will join those of the Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. “It’s a wonderful memorial for her, an eternal one,” Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson said during an interview with Reuters.
“Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazing actress, advocate, and dear friend to NASA,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement following the actress’s death, PC Mag reports.” Nichelle’s advocacy transcended television and transformed NASA. After Apollo 11, Nichelle made it her mission to inspire women and people of color to join this agency, change the face of STEM, and explore the cosmos.”
