Nichelle Nichols is getting the farewell that she deserves. With her ashes set to journey to space on the forthcoming Enterprise Flight, the late actress, who shattered barriers as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, will make one more trip to the “final frontier.” The rocket, chartered by Celestial Memorial Spaceflights, is expected to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, later this year.
“We are absolutely honoured to announce that the late Nichelle Nichols will be joining the ‘crew’ aboard the upcoming Celestis Enterprise Flight, headed to deep space later this year alongside several of her fellow Star Trek icons,” the company shared wrote on Instagram. “Nichols joins Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and James ‘Scotty’ Doohan on a groundbreaking journey that is the first of its kind.”
The DNA of Nichelle’s adult son, Kyle Johnson, as well as notes and tributes from fans, will go in space with Nichelle on this extraordinary journey. The business claims that more than 200 flying capsules containing ashes, DNA, and notes from loved ones would be carried on the voyage. “My only regret is that I cannot share this eternal tribute standing beside my mother at the launch,” Kyle said in a statement.
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“I know she would be profoundly honoured for this unique experience and enthusiastically encourage ALL of her FANS to join us vicariously by contributing your thoughts, affections, memories, NN-inspired successes, dreams, and aspirations via email to be launched with her on this flight! WOW!” Nichelle, who died on July 30 at the age of 89 from natural causes, paved the way when she got the coveted Star Trek role in 1966.
She was one of the first Black actors to have such a prominent role in primetime television at the time. Kyle remarked at the time of his mother’s passing, “Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration. Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”