Legendary “Star Trek” actress Nichelle Nichols’ ashes will go where very few have gone before: space.
Nichols, whose trailblazing portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura on TV’s original “Star Trek” series broke racial barriers, died on July 20, 2022, at the age of 89.
As a final hurrah to celebrate her legacy, the star’s ashes will be blasted into space aboard a special “Enterprise mission” later this year.
The launch aboard the Vulcan rocket will ensure Nichols’ remains will join late “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, who died in 1991.
Nichols’ ashes will also join those of Roddenberry’s deceased wife and “First Lady of ‘Star Trek’” Majel Barrett Roddenberry, who died in 2008.
Late “Star Trek” actor James Doohan’s ashes will also be launched into space along with Nichols’. Doohan died in 2005.
In addition, visual effects legend Douglas Trumbull’s ashes will also be on the flight. Trumbull died in February this year.
“We are truly honored to add a legendary actress, activist, and educator to the Enterprise Flight manifest,” Charles M. Chafer, co-founder and CEO of Celestis, said in a press release.
“Now our Enterprise Flight will have on board the person who most completely embodied the vision of ‘Star Trek’ as a diverse, inclusive, and exploring universe.”
“I’m sure she would have much preferred to go on the shuttle but this is a pretty close second,” Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson said in the press release.
“My only regret is that I cannot share this eternal tribute standing beside my mother at the launch,” he said.
“I know she would be profoundly honored 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!” Johnson added.
Nichols’ “Star Trek” role broke stereotypes for black actresses at a time when black women mostly played roles as servants rather than authority figures.
