Rocket containing ash from NASA astronauts exploded after launch

A small suborbital SpaceLoft-XL-Rakete of the US company UP Aerospace burst into flames 3 seconds after it took off on Monday. The explosion occurred over the New Mexico desert. She funded 13 science and technology experiments by students as part of the NASA TechRise Student Challenge.

SpaceLoft also introduced those Aurora-Flight-Mission for the company specializing in space memorial services Heavenly through. Cremated human remains are transported into space.

Remains of astronauts and chemist

Also on board were the cremated remains of the deceased NASA astronaut Philip K. Chapman, who died in 2021. Chapman was the first Australian-born American astronaut and helped prepare for the 1971 Apollo-14-Mission to the moon. He himself never flew into space. Also the ashes of the chemist Louise Ann O’Deen war an Bord.

However, Celestis only ever takes a symbolic portion of the remains or DNA samples into space. According to the company, despite the explosion, its payload is unharmed and can be launched again once the investigation is complete. reports Gizmodo.

Promised new flight

Celestis has pledged to provide the families of the failed mission with another free flight.

“Despite the industry’s collective experience, today is yet another reminder of the many things that must go right on every spaceflight,” said Christopher Baker from NASA in a statement.