A space capsule carrying the ashes of more than 160 people has been lost after it crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
The Nyx capsule, launched on June 23 by German start-up The Exploration Company (TEC) as part of its “Mission Possible” program, was carrying the remains of 166 people arranged by Celestis, a Texas-based space burial company.
While the mission initially appeared successful, with the capsule completing two orbits around Earth and re-establishing communication after blackout, an “anomaly occurred and the vehicle was lost shortly after re-entry,” Celestis co-founder and CEO Charles M. Chafer wrote on its website.
TEC did not say what could have caused the issue, but in a post on LinkedIn shared that they are “investigating the root causes”.
“This was the first Celestis mission designed to return from orbit, and we recognize the bravery and ambition it required from all involved,” Chafer noted. “We also recognize that no technical achievement replaces the profound personal meaning this service holds for our families.”
The company offered its “sincerest gratitude” to families who entrusted them with their loved ones’ ashes and said it hoped families “will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering”.
.jpg_U1vPMz?tr=w-1024,cr-0.0.1024.686&config=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)
TEC confirmed the capsule’s re-entry and re-established communication before it “lost communication” a few minutes before splashdown, with no recovery of the materials since.
“We apologize to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads,” TEC wrote, adding that it will “prepare to re-fly as soon as possible”.
The ashes were lost alongside cannabis plant matter and seeds, which were part of the citizen science project Martian Grow, which aims to explore the feasibility of growing cannabis on Mars.
The Nyx capsule was TEC’s first mission designed to transport crew and cargo to and from low Earth orbit, and only the company’s second capsule to reach orbit.
“We have been pushing boundaries in record time and cost,” TEC stated on their website, describing the launch as a “partial success” that reflects “both ambition and the inherent risks of innovation”.
Hélène Huby, TEC’s founder and CEO, also issued a statement, which read: “We will learn from Mission Possible and improve, together as a team. I express my profound gratitude to The Exploration Company’s team members who are demonstrating outstanding solidarity, resilience, and commitment to the success of our mission.”
Celestis said it is in contact with families “to offer support and discuss possible next steps” as investigations continue into the cause of the failure.
