In a remarkable testament to human remembrance and technological innovation, Celestis Inc. has selected Stoke Space's cutting-edge Nova rocket to carry out its next ambitious deep-space memorial flight, promising to extend humanity's legacy beyond our planetary boundaries.

The upcoming 'Infinite Flight' mission, scheduled for late 2026, will launch from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 14 and represents only the second commercial deep-space journey for the Texas-based space burial company. This mission will propel human remains and memorial payloads into a permanent heliocentric orbit extending up to an astounding 185 million miles from Earth, continuing Celestis's nearly three-decade commitment to transforming remembrance into an extraordinary act of cosmic exploration.

Charles M. Chafer, Celestis Co-Founder and CEO, emphasized the profound significance of the mission, stating, "Our Voyager missions ensure that every story we carry into space helps extend humanity's presence across the solar system. To fly aboard Nova, one of the most advanced reusable launch systems ever built, is both a technical and symbolic leap forward." The Nova rocket, developed by Kent, Washington-based aerospace firm founded by former Blue Origin executives Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman, represents a pinnacle of reusable rocket technology, scheduled for its first orbital test flight in 2026.

Following their previous successful missions, including the 2024 'Enterprise Flight' which carried remains of 'Star Trek' luminaries, three former U.S. Presidents, and legendary filmmaker Douglas Trumbull, Celestis continues to push boundaries. The company has already begun exploring even more ambitious projects, such as the 'Mars300' spaceflight, which aims to send human DNA into orbit around the Red Planet as early as 2030.

Mission management will be handled by Ensemble, with the 'Infinite Flight' expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. This latest endeavor underscores Celestis's commitment to providing meaningful, transformative memorial experiences that quite literally elevate human remembrance to new cosmic heights, offering families and loved ones an unprecedented way to commemorate those who have passed.

Despite some challenges, such as the recent loss of memorial remains during a European spacecraft mission, Celestis remains dedicated to its pioneering vision of space remembrance. By partnering with innovative companies like Stoke Space, the company continues to turn the profound human desire to remember and honor into a remarkable journey through the vast, uncharted territories of our solar system.