FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2009
Contact: Charles Chafer, Celestis, Inc., 713-524-2568

Celestis, Inc., the pioneer and global leader in Memorial Spaceflights, announced today that it will launch the remains of the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, his wife, actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry – “The First Lady of Star Trek” – and James Doohan – “Scotty” – on a special Star Trek-dedicated mission into deep space, thus fulfilling Majel Roddenberry’s dream of journeying through space with her husband and creative partner.

Majel Roddenberry passed away December 18, 2008. She began her acting career in the 1950's with roles in such popular shows as "Leave it to Beaver," "Bonanza" and "The Lucy Show;" but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. Roddenberry starred in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community. Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the iconic voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series, including the upcoming J.J. Abrams' Star Trek remake. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." Over the course of their more than quarter-century together, she became not only Gene's partner, but also his creative muse. Roddenberry helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of continuing the legacy after his death.

While Majel was “The First Lady of Star Trek,” she was also one of the first people to look to Celestis to fly their remains eternally towards the heavens. Indeed, she played a key role in the company’s first flight. In 1997, Majel looked to Celestis to fly a portion of Gene Roddenberry’s remains towards the cosmos on Celestis’ first memorial spaceflight, The Founders Flight. Celestis will eternally unite Gene and Majel, flying a portion of their remains together into orbit.

“We are deeply honored to have flown Gene on our first mission, and to be entrusted by the Roddenberry family to fulfill Majel’s dream of flying in space with her husband,” said Charles Chafer, President of Celestis.

Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr., the son of Gene and Majel said, “Celestis will be fulfilling a pledge made to my mother in 1995, to launch both my mother and father together, side by side, and carry their spirits, memories, and the message of their life’s work into the cosmos on an infinite journey into deep space aboard their Voyager Memorial Spaceflight Service.”

Celestis invites the public to submit messages of tribute honoring Majel and Gene Roddenberry that will fly with the Roddenberry’s on their historic journey into deep space. There is no charge for submitting a message of tribute. For more information, please visit www.celestis.com.