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A space capsule carrying the ashes of 166 people met an anticlimactic fate when it plunged into the Pacific Ocean.
The Nyx capsule, launched on June 23 as part of an initiative called ‘Mission Possible’ by the German start-up The Exploration Company (TEC), was designed to send its passengers on a final journey into space.
The capsule was intended to carry the ashes safely back to earth after the flights, fulfilling their dying wishes to finally become astronauts.
But after the capsule completed two orbits around Earth ‘an anomaly occurred’ and the vessel was lost during its planned re-entry into the atmosphere, according to Celestis co-founder and CEO Charles M. Chafer.
The mission was carried out in partnership with Celestis, a Texas-based company specializing in space burials.
According to TEC, the spacecraft’s launch was successful, the payload was powered as expected in orbit, and the spacecraft even re-established communication after a brief blackout during re-entry.
However, moments before the capsule was scheduled to splash down and return safely to Earth, the mission hit a wall.
TEC revealed that they ‘lost communication’ with the capsule a few minutes before its scheduled splashdown.
The Nyx capsule (pictured), launched on June 23 as part of an initiative called ‘Mission Possible’ by the German start-up The Exploration Company (TEC), was designed to send its passengers on a final journey into space
After the capsule completed two orbits around Earth ‘an anomaly occurred’ and the vessel was lost after re-entry, according to Celestis co-founder and CEO Charles M. Chafer (pictured)
‘We apologize to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads,’ the company, which had celebrated the capsule’s previous milestones, said in a statement.
TEC said that the payload – along with the remains of the deceased and several other experimental items – was lost in the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to human remains, the Nyx capsule carried cannabis plant matter and seeds for a citizen science project called Martian Grow.
The initiative aims to study the viability of growing cannabis on Mars, hoping to push the boundaries of space agriculture, according to Popular Mechanics.
Despite the loss, Celestis offered consolation to the families of those whose loved ones were aboard the mission.
‘Though we currently believe that we cannot return the flight capsules, we hope families will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering,’ Chafer wrote.
‘While there were many successful milestones achieved – launch, orbit, and controlled reentry – this was the first Celestis mission designed to return from orbit, and we recognize the bravery and ambition it required from all involved,’ the Celestis CEO wrote.
‘We also recognize that no technical achievement replaces the profound personal meaning this service holds for our families.’
TEC, which had only launched one previous capsule before Nyx, acknowledged that while the mission wasn’t the complete success they had hoped for, it still represented progress.
In addition to human remains, the Nyx capsule (pictured) carried cannabis plant matter and seeds for a citizen science project called Martian Grow
TEC, which had only launched one previous capsule before Nyx, acknowledged that while the mission wasn’t the complete success they had hoped for. Pictured: Celestis’ customized, aerospace-grade aluminum flight capsule has been successfully integrated into the container that will be placed aboard the Nyx spacecraft for the upcoming flight
Hélène Huby, Founder and CEO of TEC, expressed a mixture of gratitude and regret, saying, ‘We are continuing our journey, eager to implement these learnings in our next vehicle.
‘We will learn from Mission Possible and improve, together as a team. I express my profound gratitude to The Exploration Company’s team members who are demonstrating outstanding solidarity, resilience, and commitment to the success of our mission.’
Celestis has been in contact with the families to offer support.
‘We remain committed to serving with transparency, compassion, and care,’ Chafer concluded.
