This company wants to be the 1st to launch human remains to Mars. Will it ever get there?

This Company Aims to Launch Human Remains to Mars

Space memorial company Celestis has opened reservations for its "Mars300" mission, planning to send human remains into orbit around Mars by 2030. While the Red Planet represents a significant target for human expansion in the solar system, numerous technological, financial, and logistical challenges must be resolved before landing there becomes feasible.

Celestis' Mars300 Project Details

Based in Texas, Celestis, Inc. invites customers to secure spots on its first memorial spaceflight to Mars. The plan involves sending canisters containing cremated ashes and DNA samples of the deceased to orbit the Red Planet. However, this mission may take several years to materialize.

Company Background and Previous Missions

Since 1997, the Houston-based company has flown remains of loved ones, pets, and notable individuals beyond Earth on numerous missions. These have used various launch vehicles, most recently United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. Celestis also offers liftoff and recovery services, including ocean splashdown options where memorial capsules orbit Earth briefly before being retrieved as keepsakes.

"Celestis aims to send canisters containing cremated ashes and DNA samples of the deceased into orbit around the Red Planet."

Reservations for Mars300 Now Open

The company has now officially begun accepting reservations for up to 300 participants on the Mars300 mission, marking an ambitious step toward memorial spaceflights beyond Earth’s orbit.

Author’s summary: Celestis plans to pioneer memorial spaceflights by sending human remains into Mars orbit by 2030, though significant challenges lie ahead for this ambitious project.

more

Space.com Space.com — 2025-11-07

More News