Space Capsule Carrying Ashes of Over 160 People Crashes into Ocean
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Jefry Jenifer, Yugvarta News Network
, Jul 08, 2025 12:50 PM 0 Comments
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कैलिफोर्निया :
California, 8th July : A space mission meant to honor the memories of over 160 people ended in tragedy after the capsule carrying their ashes crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The capsule experienced a parachute malfunction during re-entry, leading to a total loss of the memorial payload.
The mission, known as "Mission Possible", launched on June 23 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The capsule, named Nyx, was developed by The Exploration Company and carried cremated remains and DNA samples arranged by US-based memorial company Celestis. Also aboard were cannabis seeds from a citizen science experiment.
Initially, the launch and orbital journey appeared to be successful. Nyx completed two full orbits around Earth and re-entered the atmosphere as planned. Communication was re-established with mission control following the expected radio blackout during descent.
However, things quickly went wrong. The capsule’s parachute system failed to deploy, causing the spacecraft to descend rapidly and uncontrollably into the Pacific Ocean. Mission control lost all contact with the capsule just before splashdown. The craft crashed into the ocean and is now considered unrecoverable.
The payload included the cremated remains and DNA of 166 individuals, whose families had signed up for the unique service with hopes that their loved ones would become part of space history. The ashes were stored in miniature capsules that were intended to be recovered and returned to the families as keepsakes after the mission.
In a statement, The Exploration Company and Celestis expressed deep regret over the incident. They acknowledged the mission’s initial success in reaching orbit but also confirmed that the parachute failure led to the capsule being lost at sea. Both companies offered condolences to the families and assured them they would be contacted directly.
Celestis emphasized that although the ashes may not be physically returned, the memorial journey into space had still taken place, honoring the promise made to families. "We hope that knowing their loved ones orbited Earth brings some comfort, even if they now rest in the ocean’s depths," a spokesperson said.
This is not the first time a Celestis mission has faced setbacks. A similar memorial flight in 2023 was unsuccessful when a rocket carrying remains failed during liftoff. The recent crash has reignited concerns about the reliability of private space memorials, a growing sector in the commercial spaceflight industry.
Also lost in the crash were cannabis seeds and plant material from the Martian Grow Project, a scientific initiative to study how plants behave in microgravity and re-entry conditions. Researchers had hoped to analyze the viability of growing cannabis in space environments as part of long-term space travel studies.
Despite the crash, officials from The Exploration Company maintain that the mission demonstrated key technological achievements, including successful orbital flight and communication recovery. An investigation is underway to determine why the parachute failed and how future missions can avoid similar incidents.
For the families involved, the loss is heartbreaking. What was meant to be a unique space tribute has instead turned into a solemn reminder of how unpredictable space exploration can be, even when it’s for the departed.