Presidents and Legends: The Celestial Journey of DNA in Space

In a fascinating blend of history, space exploration, and pop culture, a Texas-based company is preparing for a truly cosmic mission. Celestis, known for its space burial services, is about to launch the DNA of four iconic U.S. Presidents into deep space. This unprecedented mission offers a unique way to honor both national leaders and entertainment legends, raising the question: what happens to human DNA beyond Earth?

Sending the Founding Fathers to Space

For the first time in history, the DNA of four of America's most recognized Presidents—George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan—will be sent into the vast expanse of space. This historic mission, aptly named the Enterprise Flight, was announced on Presidents' Day, marking a symbolic tribute to these leaders. Their DNA will embark on a journey farther than any U.S. President has gone before, not through policy or diplomacy, but through the stars.

These presidential samples aren't simply floating into space without company. In fact, they will be joined by some of the most beloved figures in pop culture history, creating a celestial entourage like no other.

Trekkies Join the Journey

The DNA of the Founding Fathers will share this voyage with the remains of several legendary figures from the Star Trek universe. Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura), DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy), and the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, along with his wife, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, will all be aboard this historic flight. But that’s not all—James "Scotty" Doohan, famed for his role as the Star Trek engineer, and Douglas Trumbull, the special effects mastermind behind classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, will also be part of this extraordinary mission.

This journey pays homage to the optimistic vision of the future that Star Trek inspired, blending exploration, remembrance, and an enduring legacy for both the characters and the people who portrayed them.

The Curious Case of Presidential DNA

The DNA samples from these U.S. Presidents originate from a highly unusual source—locks of their hair, meticulously preserved by Louis Mushro, a well-known collector and appraiser of historical memorabilia. Before his passing in 2014, Mushro ensured that these hair samples were stored in a climate-controlled facility. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the samples now have a chance to leave Earth’s orbit, embarking on a mission as historic as the lives they represent.

A Voyage Beyond the Earth-Moon System

Charles M. Chafer, Co-Founder & CEO of Celestis, Inc., calls this mission “historic by any standard.” The Enterprise Flight will go beyond the Earth-Moon system, traveling between 93 to 186 million miles into deep space. It will carry over 200 flight capsules, each loaded with cremated remains, DNA, personal messages, and tributes from global clients.

But this mission isn't solely about honoring legacies. The Vulcan Centaur rocket responsible for carrying these capsules will also play a crucial role in furthering space exploration. It will assist the Pittsburgh aerospace company, Astrobotic, by delivering their Peregrine lunar lander to the Moon’s surface. Afterward, the rocket will continue its journey, carrying the capsules deeper into space, ultimately orbiting the sun and establishing the Enterprise Station—a symbolic outpost of human remembrance in the cosmos.

A Vision of the Future

This mission is more than a tribute to the past—it’s a glimpse into the future. With partnerships that include Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which aims to create an internet satellite constellation, this journey into deep space represents the intersection of commerce, innovation, and memorialization.

As the DNA of U.S. Presidents, Star Trek legends, and others travels beyond Earth, the question of what happens to human DNA in space remains open. Will it change in the vacuum of space? Will it endure? These are mysteries yet to be solved, but one thing is certain: this mission will leave a lasting legacy, both on Earth and in the vast, unexplored frontier of space.

The Enterprise Flight stands as a testament to humanity's drive to explore, remember, and push beyond the boundaries of the known, as we send not just memories, but the very building blocks of life itself into the stars.