Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols is set to have her ashes blasted into space
Charisa Bossinakis
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Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols is set to have her remains shot up into space to rest among the stars.
That’s certainly one way to make an exit.
The iconic actor, who played Nyota Uhura in the renowned series, will have her ashes and DNA board a rocket named Vulcan as part of the mission to spread her remains among the galaxy, according to Nine.com.au.
Nichols' son, Kyle Johnston, confirmed the news while telling the outlet: "I'm sure she would have much preferred to go on the shuttle, but this was a pretty close second.”
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He also noted that her ashes would ‘reach the final frontier as early as this year’.
The Daily Mail reports that the memorial mission is being facilitated by Houston-based organisation Celestis, the first company to conduct commemorative space flight missions successfully.
Johnston revealed on July 31 earlier this year that his mother had passed away in her sleep at 89.
He issued a statement that read: “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.
“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. 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."
He added: “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all. I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further.”
Nichols was known for being a pioneering actor for Black women in American television and was the first African American female to be cast in Star Trek.
NASA astronaut and engineer Mae C. Jemison told Bionic Buzz at Nichols' 85th birthday party that if it weren’t for the actor appearing on the hugely popular series, she would never have dreamed of working in space.
She said of her legacy: “How we think about the world is shaped by our fantasies.
"Star Trek happened to be a really great fantasy.
“Nichelle represented the fact that we had inclusion everywhere, and it so much has influenced how people think of a hopeful future. What we have to do today is get back to that."