Sunday, May 13, 2007

James Doohan's ashes, possibly lost?!

According to ABC news the rocket that was supposed to carry James "Scotty" Doohan's ashes into space April 28, malfunctioned and may have impacted on top of a mountain in New Mexico's San Andres range -- a location so remote that it was even feared lost. Now, search teams say they know where the rocket is, but they can only reach it by helicopter. A recovery mission is planned.

It has come to light that this particular flight was never suppose to reach orbit for release of Doohan's (as did Gene Roddenbery's ashes a few years ago) and the 200 other persons ashes aboard. This flight was a sub-orbital and the rocket was planned for recovery so the ashes could be returned to the families. Charles Chafer, owner of Space Services Inc., the company behind the launch said another portion of Doohan's ashes will fly on a future mission, when they will be released into orbit.

Thanks to Shaun Saunders for the info

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