The DNA of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, and that of other famous people, will fly to deep space atop a ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket on Jan. 8, on Celestis’ “Enterprise Flight.”
(Image credit: Celestis)
The famous Roddenberry family is headed to the final frontier. The DNA of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, as well as that of their son, Rod, is set to launch Jan. 8, on the debut liftoff of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. The main goals of the flight are to send the private Peregrine moon lander toward Earth’s nearest neighbor, and show that Vulcan Centaur is ready for prime time. But Houston space-memorial company Celestis booked a spot on the rocket as well, for a mission it calls the Enterprise Flight.
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Rod Roddenberry attends “#WETHEFUTURE: UN Habitat, We The Planet, Chopra Foundation” at the United Nations on Nov. 11, 2023 in New York City. (Image credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images for We The Planet)
Besides preserved DNA samples from Rod and his late parents, the memorial flight includes the cremated remains, memory files and DNA capsules of “Star Trek” icons Nichelle “Uhura” Nichols, James “Scotty” Doohan, and DeForest “Bones” Kelley. Also going up on Jan. 8 is the DNA of George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, Academy Award-winning special effects legend Douglas Trumbull (“2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”), and others. Genetic material of ULA CEO Tory Bruno and his wife Rebecca genetic material will also be aboard. These samples will be carried into deep space, beyond the Earth-moon system.
Space.com spoke with Rod Roddenberry — who oversees Roddenberry Entertainment and serves as an executive producer on “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” “Star Trek: Prodigy” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” — during the height of the holiday rush. He talked about how his ticket to the stars was punched, what his famous “Star Trek” parents would have thought about this exotic adventure, and what Christmastime was like in the Roddenberry household when Rod was growing up in sunny Los Angeles.
Space.com: “Star Wars” is often associated with leisurely summer fun and “Star Trek” with Christmastime, not just because many “Star Trek” films were released during the holidays, but due to the franchise’s bright forward-looking focus and reflective themes. Have you ever considered that link to Christmas, and how do you view the two sci-fi titans?
Rod Roddenberry: I love when I hear something new about “Star Trek,” and I can make up my own reasons right now based on that. There’s giving and family and closeness and, hopefully, a little bit more intellect around Christmas. Summer is more action and play, which is “Star Wars.” It’s a great thought. I haven’t spent much time with it,