An Atlanta-based startup named Space Beyond is offering a new memorial service that allows families to send a symbolic portion of a loved one's cremated remains into Earth's orbit. Founded by an aerospace industry veteran, the company aims to make space memorials accessible with a price point of $249.
The service provides families with a way to create a lasting tribute for both humans and pets, positioning space as a unique final resting place. The founder, Ryan Mitchell, a Georgia Tech graduate, intends to provide an affordable alternative in the growing memorial spaceflight market.
Key Takeaways
- An Atlanta-based company, Space Beyond, is launching a memorial service to send cremated ashes into space.
- The service costs $249, a price point intended to be significantly lower than existing options.
- A symbolic one-gram portion of ashes will be placed in a spacecraft and orbit the Earth for 25 years.
- Families will be able to track the spacecraft's journey in real-time using a mobile or web-based application.
- The mission concludes with the spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere, burning up like a shooting star.
A New Venture in Space Memorials
Ryan Mitchell, the founder of Space Beyond, has over two decades of experience in the aerospace sector, contributing to the launch of shuttles, rockets, and jets. His new venture shifts focus from sending astronauts to the stars to providing a celestial memorial for those who have passed away.
Mitchell identified a gap in the market for an affordable space memorial service. "Most of us will not be able to go to space during our lifetime," he stated. "So I created Space Beyond to create a pathway and opportunity for everyone to be part of this new space age."
The company's mission is to offer a meaningful option for families who may have cremated remains stored at home and are seeking a unique tribute. According to Mitchell, the service is a way to "let go, but not say goodbye."
A Growing Industry
The concept of space burials is not new. Companies like Celestis have been offering similar services since 1994. However, these services often come with a higher price tag, with some options starting at over $3,000. Space Beyond's business model is built on affordability to reach a wider audience.
The Process From Earth to Orbit
The service is designed to be straightforward for families. Once a customer signs up, they receive a collection kit in the mail. This kit contains a small vial, a spoon, and a funnel to collect a symbolic sample of the ashes.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Collection Kit: Families receive a kit to collect approximately one gram of cremated remains.
- Return Shipment: The sample is mailed back to Space Beyond for processing.
- Payload Integration: Each ash sample is placed into a small 6x6 aluminum cube.
- Spacecraft Loading: These cubes are then loaded into a custom-built spacecraft designed to carry hundreds of individual capsules.
Mitchell explained the cost-sharing model that makes the low price possible. "We can take several hundred clients on each one of these spacecrafts," he said. "Think of it as a space bus, or Uber share. We are sharing the cost over many people."
A 25-Year Orbital Journey
Once launched, the spacecraft will enter a low-Earth orbit, the same region used by many communications satellites and the International Space Station. The mission is planned to last for 25 years, during which the spacecraft will continuously circle the planet.
Real-Time Tracking
A key feature of the service is a digital tracking system. Families can follow the spacecraft's journey through a dedicated smartphone application or a web portal, providing a constant connection to their loved one's memorial.
"So it's actually quite elegant," Mitchell noted. "It's pretty simple. App-based or web-based trackers have that information." This feature allows families to know the exact location of the orbiting memorial at any given time.
"The intention is to make it cheap enough that everybody can do it," said Ryan Mitchell, founder of Space Beyond.
The Final Return
After approximately 25 years in orbit, the spacecraft's trajectory will naturally decay due to atmospheric drag. It will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed.
Upon re-entry, the spacecraft and its contents will completely burn up, creating a bright streak across the sky similar to a shooting star. This event serves as the mission's final, poetic conclusion.
"Somebody will see it most likely," Mitchell commented on the final re-entry event. "Earth is a big place."
With cremation rates in the United States at historic highs, innovative memorial options are gaining interest. Space Beyond is positioning itself to cater to this trend, offering what it calls the ultimate final frontier for remembrance.