The Celestis Foundation: Private Enterprise in Space for the Public Good on Earth

By celestis | Published: September 22, 2012

Since 1995, the Celestis Foundation has donated funds to organizations that promote innovative projects that improve life on Earth and stimulate our ongoing exploration of the universe.

The Foundation focuses on nurturing entrepreneurial space enterprises, supporting organizations that educate our children and the general public about space, and contributing to charities that create a positive future on Earth. A portion from the proceeds of each Celestis sale is donated to an individual, organization, or institution that embodies the spirit and principles of exploration, planetary conservation, and innovation so prevalent among our mission participants.

Small Satellite ConferenceFor the last half dozen years the Celestis Foundation has been a Gold Sponsor of the Annual Frank J. Redd Student Scholarship Competition — a prime example of an educational initiative that is fostering the development of both students and the final frontier.  The Scholarship Competition provides college students with the opportunity to share their work on small satellite concepts and missions at the annual Small Satellite Conference. The AIAA/Utah State University Conference on Small Satellites has become internationally recognized as the premier conference on small satellites.

We have also proudly supported the the X PRIZE Foundation, which, quoting from it website, is “an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring about radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity, thereby inspiring the formation of new industries and the revitalization of markets that are currently stuck due to existing failures or a commonly held belief that a solution is not possible. The Foundation addresses the world’s Grand Challenges by creating and managing large-scale, high-profile, incentivized prize competitions that stimulate investment in research and development worth far more than the prize itself. It motivates and inspires brilliant innovators from all disciplines to leverage their intellectual and financial capital.”  In fact, Celestis has an agreement with two of the Google Lunar X Prize Teams — Odyssey Moon Limited and Astrobotic Technology, Inc. — to launch payloads containing human cremated remains to the surface of the Moon as early as 2014/2015.

In 2008 and 2009 the Celestis Foundation began its ongoing support of the Houston Urban Debate League by creating the League’s Web site. The mission of the Houston Urban Debate League is to build, support, and sustain programs in Houston’s public schools to make policy debate an educational resource available to all students. Policy debate prepares students to be effective advocates for themselves, their families, and their community. The Houston Urban Debate League develops public-private partnerships that enhance the investment of school districts in debate activities by providing business and community finance, mentoring, communication, and facilities to permanently restore policy debate in all of Houston’s public high schools. Celestis supports HUDL as a means to assist under-served high school students to pursue university education and careers in law and government. HUDL exemplifies the Celestis Foundation’s commitment to the future.

The Celestis Foundation ensures a continuing source of support for the people and projects that will accelerate the opening of the space frontier and the preservation of Earth.  We invite you to read more about the Celestis Foundation and the good work it does.

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Family Donates Spacecraft Model Collection to Celestis

By celestis | Published: September 5, 2012

The family of James J. Allaire, a participant on our New Frontier Flight that was successfully launched into Earth orbit on May 22, has donated Mr. Allaire’s impressive collection of spacecraft models to Celestis.

Allaire Spacecraft Model Collection

On display at our corporate offices are spacecraft models, mission patches, and other space-related items from the spacecraft model collection of James Allaire.

Mr. Allaire, who lived in Derby, Connecticut, was a dedicated spacecraft modeler.  Before the advent of the Internet, he conducted a great deal of research reading books about spacecraft.  The Internet enabled him to learn much more about rockets.  The online photos he found helped him craft next-to-exact replicas of spacecraft.  He really liked to craft a perfect replica of a rocket using various household items, such as foil packaging from candy wrappers to get the coloring on the heat shields just right.  He kept all this paraphernalia in his modeling room with all his models, which were in mounted in specially-built display cases.  This hobby was a stress reliever for him: He truly enjoyed the detail work of crafting a model, or scratch-building pieces of a model that he felt were more accurate for the particular rocket model he was building.

Mr. Allaire entered numerous space model competitions locally, regionally and nationally (including International Plastic Modelers Society competition) and won various awards.  The out of town competitions gave him the opportunity not only to see other modelers and check out their techniques, but also to explore the area where a contest was being held.  With his wry sense of humor, he enjoyed viewing some of the tongue-in-cheek dioramas that some modelers crafted.  He took his nephews, who also did modeling for a time, on these weekend trips to space model contests.  And it wasn’t just his nephews who modeled: his niece also built a model and competed.

A number of years ago, Mr. Allaire started a spacecraft modeling class at his local library to teach kids how to model.  Although he never held a title from the modeling clubs with which he was associated, he benefitted from his affiliation with the local modeling club, Connecticut Yankee Modelers.  The club held afternoon sessions at a local hobby show to show kids the art of modeling.  He also enjoyed meeting and discussing modeling with other people from the Southwestern Connecticut area.

Celestis appreciates this fine gift from the Allaire family!

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Spaceport America Tourist Attractions

By celestis | Published: July 10, 2012
White Sands National Monument

The White Sands National Monument

Our next Earth Rise Service mission, The Centennial Flight, will launch out of Spaceport America, New Mexico.  If you’re traveling to New Mexico — “The Land of Enchantment” — to view the liftoff in person, consider visiting some of the many tourist attractions near Spaceport America.

First, tour Spaceport America itself.  Spaceport America describes itself as, “the first spaceport in the world built-from-the-ground-up to host private enterprise, intended to be the launch-pad of the global commercial spaceflight industry and the second space age. The $209 million project has attracted worldwide attention because of its bold premise, stunning architecture and the fact that it is home to the world’s first commercial passenger spaceline company, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.”

The White Sands Missile Range Museum‘s outdoor display of over 50 rockets and missiles that were tested at the U.S. government’s famous White Sands Missile Range is a must-see.  White Sands is the U.S.’ largest overland military test range.  It was at White Sands’ “Trinity Site” that the world’s first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945.

Robert Goddard

Visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History and learn about the pioneering rocket research Robert Goddard conducted in New Mexico.

White Sands National Monument is one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, dunes have engulfed 275 square miles of desert creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Monument preserves this dunefield, along with the plants and animals that have adapted to its constantly changing environment.

Elephant Butte Lake State Park encompasses the largest and most popular lake in New Mexico, and provides camping, boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Southern New Mexico’s mild climate makes this park a popular year-round destination.

You might consider visiting one of the area’s famous hot springs, famous for their reputation as ancient healing remedies, in nearby Truth or Consequences.  In fact, the city of Truth or Consequences was originally named “Hot Springs.”

We also recommend making the roughly two-hour drive to Alamogordo for a visit to the New Mexico Museum of Space History.  The museum stresses the significant role that the state of New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. space program.   For example, Robert Goddard, the father of American rocketry, conducted much of his pioneering aerospace research in New Mexico.  Visit the museum to learn more about Goddard’s work, and to see the museum’s many fascinating space history artifacts on display.

Click here and here for lists of other attractions near Spaceport America.

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New Frontier Flight Reenters Atmosphere

By celestis | Published: June 28, 2012
Meteor enters Earth's atmosphere

Photo taken from the International Space Station of a meteor - a 'shooting star' - entering Earth's atmosphere Aug. 13, 2011 as the space station flew over China

The New Frontier Flight, a Celestis Earth Orbit Service mission that was launched May 22, 2012 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, has reentered Earth’s atmosphere, blazing like a shooting star in final tribute to the 320 people on board this historic memorial spaceflight.  Reentry occurred during the satellite’s 576th orbit of Earth at 10:22 pm CDT June 26 (3:22 am June 27).

The New Frontier Flight was dedicated to the spirit of the 320 mission participants and to people everywhere who share the passion for exploration and discovery. The spacecraft carried a symbolic portion of the cremated remains of each flight participant on Earth orbit. Among the people aboard this mission were Mercury Seven NASA astronaut L. Gordon Cooper, Star Trek actor James Doohan (who played “Mr. Scott”) and hundreds of people from various walks of life in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, India, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, The Netherlands, France, South Africa and Russia.

Reentry Map

The New Frontier Flight reentered Earth's atmosphere at 10:22 pm CDT June 26 (3:22 am GMT June 27) at an estimated position of 20°N, 111°E, over the South China Sea: See the red "X" in the map above.

Family Feedback

In light of the reentry, several Celestis families have written us, expressing their gratitude for our service.  “Thank you for keeping our family informed,” writes James Harmon, the father of New Frontier Flight participant Dane Kauffman Harmon.  “Our experience with Celestis has been first class from beginning to end.”  Jerry Norman, a funeral director for one of our clients, writes, “Thanks for the update!   Great service!”  And Todd Johnson, son of New Frontier Flight participant Nancy L. Johnson, writes, “Congratulations on a spectacular launch and successful mission!…  I love sharing our Celestis story with friends and strangers alike.  I love what Celestis offers. It’s not just about a launch.  It’s about a celebration – about dreams – about memories that will last my lifetime.  Thank you and everyone at Celestis for your hard work and perseverance to bring celebrations, dreams and memories to the families and friends of the launch participants. All of you make a difference in the lives of others.  I wish you the very best of success!”

Visit The New Frontier Flight webpage to see video of the launch.

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Name That Mission!

By celestis | Published: June 21, 2012
CCelestis Spaceport America Launch Pad Tour

Families tour the launch pad at Spaceport America the day prior to a Celestis Earth Rise launch.

We invite you to suggest a name for our next mission, which is scheduled for launch on June 21, 2013.  The winner of the contest will receive a mission patch that we have flown in space, together with a certificate of authenticity!

This launch will occur from Spaceport America, New Mexico, the site of each of our previous Earth Rise Service missions. We will fly cremated remains into space and return them to Earth: After the mission, the flight capsule or module that carried a loved one into space and back again is returned to the family, with the ashes still sealed inside. We will once again fly on board an UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL launch vehicle.

If you’re interested in the mission-naming contest, it might help you to consider the names of our previous memorial spaceflights.  We called our first mission “The Founders Flight.”  Our December 1999 mission was called “The Millennial Flight.”  And our last Earth Rise mission — “The Goddard Flight” — was named after the father of American space exploration, Dr. Robert Goddard, who performed much of his pioneering aerospace work in New Mexico.

Consider the venue — Spaceport America.  It’s a new launch facility that will serve as the headquarters of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space tourism company.  It’s also located near the White Sands Missile Range, where so much space history has been made.

Be creative!  If you have a suggestion, please contact us!  The contest deadline is July 4, 2012.

—–

UPDATE (July 12): Aleta Duvall has won the contest!  The name of our next Earth Rise mission is The Centennial Flight, named in honor of the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s statehood.  For her winning entry, Aleta will receive a Centennial Flight mission patch that will be flown on the mission.  Congratulations Aleta!  (And thanks to everyone who suggested names for the mission!)

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What Families Are Saying

By celestis | Published: June 18, 2012

Celestis memorial spaceflights provide meaningful ways for families and friends to honor the memory of a loved one.  Whether they attend our launch-related activities in person or watch via webcast, families find the Celestis experience to be emotionally moving and fulfilling.

Below are just some of the comments made by family members of those on board The New Frontier Flight, launched into Earth orbit on May 22, 2012 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.  Those who traveled to Florida to view the launch in person also had the opportunity to view the rocket on its launch pad from the vantage point of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center,  and participate in our memorial service for those on board the flight.

Celestis New Frontier Flight Memorial Service

Attendees at the Celestis New Frontier Flight Memorial Service. Photos of each person on board the flight, together with their names and personal flight messages, were displayed on the screen at left.

Dear Christiana,

Now we have come to an end.  Mark’s ashes are orbiting and 5 years have passed since we started this journey together.

I remember first talking with you, getting information about the process of sending ashes into space. You were so understanding and compassionate as I vented and cried and told the story of how I came to be doing this.  You grieved along with me.

Astronaut Jon McBride speaks at the memorial service

Astronaut Jon McBride speaking at the memorial service

There are no words to express fully how much I appreciated you during those early days.  You became a trusted friend and helped me navigate through some tough decisions. You may not know that you did these things, but during our conversations I gained some measure of strength and found that I could get through all manner of difficult days.

Christiana, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  For extending your friendship to me, for keeping me in the Celestis loop of information, for caring enough to search and actually find me after I had re-married and changed my name and address. I can’t believe you did that!

You are an amazing asset to Celestis and a friend to all the family members you come in contact with every day.  I wish you Love & Blessings always

Johanna Wallace Mitchell  (Joey)

P.S.  I still think we should meet someday.

~~~

Family members speak at the memorial service

Family members share their thoughts at the memorial service

Bravo to you all this is the very best of news that  my loved one has now accomplished the dream to go into space.  For me it came at the anniversary of when my wife left this world six years ago almost to the day (May 21, 2006), making it extremely special.  This is a next step for all to help move forward in space travel for mankind!  Will be waiting for more news about the orbit and be able to track their orbit and go out in the night and look up and say there they go overhead.

Thanks again.

John Seaton

~~~

This has been soooooooo much fun! I’m so glad my father was able to be a part of this historic mission.

Gina Whitt

~~~

Families in procession

At the end of the memorial service, families and friends walked to a nearby river where they laid flowers in memory of their loved ones.

I cannot express how thrilled my family is about the launch.  It is truly a wonderful day.  We watched from our homes but we celebrated with the entire Celestis and New Frontier family.  Thank you, a million times over, for this opportunity.  This was the only idea about which Dad showed any enthusiasm as we talked with him about his memorial service – and oh, the enthusiasm he had for this.

Katharine Stewart

~~~

New Frontier Flight liftoff

Families viewed the nighttime launch in person or by webcast. Image Credit: NASA

We, at Celestis, thank all of the families and friends who have written us!  We will never forget joining many of you in the pre-dawn darkness of May 22 to watch the spectacular launch from Jetty Park, located just 10.3 miles from the launch pad. As the rocket lifted its precious cargo of New Frontier Flight participants into the night sky, the spirits of all of us at Jetty Park lifted as well. The brilliant light of the rocket’s powerful engines resembled the light of a very bright star rising ever so gracefully into the stars above. The crowd reacted with a joyful mix of applause, cheers, handshakes, hugs, and tears: Their loved ones’ dreams of spaceflight had come true. Those of you who joined us virtually, via the launch webcast, were also with us in spirit.

Click here to read more about the New Frontier Flight, view video of the launch, read about the people on board, and track the satellite as it orbits Earth.

Click here to view a touching television interview with one of The New Frontier Flight families.

Posted in Launch News, Memorial Spaceflight Participants | 1 Response

Singer-songwriter album given to Celestis

By celestis | Published: March 20, 2012

Celestis was recently given a gift in the form of music. Susan VanWarmer, wife of participant Randy VanWarmer, sent a newly released compilation album of her husband’s work in thanks and support of our mission. The album is called “Just When I Needed You Most,” also a hit single song in 1979, and contains nine never released recordings of songs found on rehearsal tapes in his studio.

Randy VanWarmer

Randy VanWarmer

Randy always carried the dream of becoming an astronaut. It shows in his songwriting with the song called “I’m Gonna Build Me a Rocket.” It also shows on the cover of his Terraform album; he’s wearing an Apollo 11 suit. Susan was able to fulfill his dream of crossing over into space and Randy was a participant on both the Explorers and Legacy flights and is also a participant on the upcoming New Frontier Flight.

Every quote in the liner notes, every description of friendship, described what a warm, thoughtful person Randy was, that he was a best friend to all. “Randy had a way of looking right into your eyes, that made you feel important,” said his friend Roger Earl.

The first song, #1 hit “I’m In A Hurry (And I Don’t Know Why)” will have your toes tapping the moment it starts playing. “Time and Money” stands out as well, with its rich, sassy saxophone lines and backup vocals. It’s reminiscent of The Commitments, the band from the movie of the same name. “There’s A Rhythm” also features some wonderful harmonies but with a more free-flowing feel that puts the listener in mind of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

What most striking about this album is its overall versatility. Some songs have a more country or folk feel, like John Denver, while some have that electronic, poppy feel not uncommon in the 80s. Randy’s voice comes through clearly and beautifully in every style. His style never sounds like imitation, but an honest and true representation of his talents.

You can read his full bio here and visit his website here. We’d like to say “thank you” to Susan vanWarmer for sending this album to us and sharing the music of Randy VanWarmer.

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Cape Canaveral-area Tourist Attractions

By celestis | Published: February 23, 2012
Airboat

Ride an airboat, see Florida wildlife

Our next Earth Orbit Service mission, The New Frontier Flight, will launch out of Cape Canaveral, Florida.  If you’re traveling to the “Sunshine State” to view the liftoff in person, consider visiting some of the many tourist attractions near the Cape and in the nearby Orlando area as well.

As we approach the projected launch date our New Frontier Flight guests will be able to purchase tickets to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) through our website so that they may view the launch from the KSC Causeway, the closest and best launch viewing location available.

KSC Rocket Garden

Rocket on display in the KSC Rocket Garden

A KSC ticket will also allow you to tour KSC the day prior to launch.  Touring the Kennedy Space Center is a fascinating experience.  Visit KSC’s Apollo/Saturn V Center, which features a massive, Saturn V rocket – the type that launched astronauts to the Moon.  From the vantage point of the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry you can see the launch pad we’ll use for the New Frontier Flight.  You’ll also want to tour the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, KSC’s “Rocket Garden” featuring some of the rockets from the early years of the space program, the Astronaut Memorial, and the hands-on, interactive exhibits in “Exploration Space.”  Expect to spend the better part of a day visiting KSC.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach at sunset

In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the Cocoa Beach area has a number of other attractions. Its beautiful beach is legendary, so much so that we are making our launch headquarters at the Best Western Cocoa Beach hotel.  A must visit is Ron Jon Surf Shop, which describes itself as, “a whole water world of eternal summer fun, encompassing more than two acres, overflowing with more surfwear, sportswear and beach gear than is available in any other single venue.  The flagship store in Cocoa Beach is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”  Be sure to check out the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum and the Cocoa Beach Pier too.  The golfing and shopping are fantastic.  You can book an ocean cruise departing out of nearby Port Canaveral through the Disney, Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines.   Deep sea fishing, parasailing, the Brevard Zoo, and eco-touring are other fun options as well.  If you’re in town April 28, visit the 3rd Annual Cocoa Beach Wine & Food Festival where you can sample delicious foods from over 20 of the Space Coast’s top restaurants, see cooking demonstrations by two of the area’s top chefs, and enjoy the Festival’s car show.  Click here for more information about visiting Cocoa Beach!

Man riding a zip-line

Ride a zip-line over Florida alligators!

With its subtropical climate, nearby wildlife, and vibrant night-life, there are quite a number of fun and interesting things to do in and around the big city of Orlando.  Of course, there are three major theme parks to visit: Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando.

But you can also fly in an airboat in the wild Florida wetlands, see an alligator wrestling show, swim with dolphins, ride along a zip-line over live alligators and crocodiles, go skydiving, play golf on spectacular courses, tour scenic gardens, enjoy some of Orlando’s many award-winning spas, or take in dinner and a show.  Visit VisitOrlando.com for a comprehensive list!

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Our British Master Distributor

By celestis | Published: November 16, 2011

“Over the last six years Celestis has been fortunate to develop a strong, working relationship with Mr. Fergus Jamieson. We are thrilled to work with Mr. Jamieson and our cooperation with his company over the years has always been very professional and prompt,” says Chris Chol, Director of Client Services. “We appreciate the dedication and efforts that Mr. Jamieson has devoted to offering Memorial Spaceflights to his clients. It is truly inspiring to work with him to bring the dream of spaceflight one step closer to reality to our families in the UK, and contribute together to our future in space exploration.”

Mr. Jamieson said, “We at Heavens Above Fireworks were really pleased to be appointed the UK’s Master Distributor for Celestis. Although we primarily disperse cremated remains in spectacular Memorial fireworks displays, the opportunity to extend our product offering to real rockets was just too good to miss for us and our clients. We find working with Celestis a delight: The team is always charming and they liaise well with our clients.”

Heavens Above Fireworks offers customers fireworks displays that incorporate cremation ashes. Their goal is to create a happier memorable event rather than a traditional funeral memorial. Firework displays often happen several weeks or even months after the traditional funeral ceremony, after the initial grieving period, and offer the family a chance to come together to truly celebrate the life of their loved one.

Mr. Jamieson has worked hard to be the first and foremost company to offer scattering ashes by fireworks. He and those at his company are dedicated to bringing each family they work with a sense of respect for their and their loved one’s wishes. One of their clients called it “the icing on the cake.” The website says it best: “A happier way to say goodbye.”

Having such an excellent distributor in the UK helps Celestis reach a wider audience who might not have otherwise heard of us. It also allows clients in the UK to have a British contact who can address questions and concerns during the decision making process. Mr. Jamieson has also been so kind as to prominently feature Celestis on his own website.

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Celestis in South Korea

By celestis | Published: November 1, 2011

“Design is design is not design”

This year marks the 4th Gwangju Design Biennale in Gwangju, South Korea; it is the largest design exposition in the world.

The theme this year is a variation on “the way that is the way is not always the way,” the opening line of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. “Design is design is not design” asks people to look at design with a new vision, to ask where design can be applied to modern inventions. Where do creativity and vision overlap? When is design used to create bias or exclusion? “Its emphasis is laid on understanding the trends of domestic and international design and cultural phenomena and expanding publicity.”1   With this in mind all of the design fields represented are not be separated from each other and labeled but rather merged into a larger aesthetic display.

Celestis has Brendan McGetrick to thank for being present at this exceptional event. Mr. McGetrick is a curator for the UnNamed themed section which explores “the ways in which design alters perceptions, reinvents, and reveals hidden truths.”2  Fields of focus include virtual communication, bioengineering, permaculture and more. Celestis has been incorporated into an afterlife design section and our service video plays on a large screen.

Celestis certainly does alter perceptions and expectations about a funeral. The memorial spaceflight service for cremated remains has been called everything from fantastic, amazing, fulfilling, to creepy and strange. However you might choose to view the service, our goal here is to fulfill a dream, a desire, to provide for both the participant and the family. In the greater funeral world industry, it’s still a young service and we are honored to be a part of such a large honoring of design.

The event runs September 2 through October 23.

 

NOTES:

1 – http://gb.or.kr/?mid=sub_eng&mode=01&sub=01

2 – http://www.scribd.com/doc/59274182/UNNAMED-DESIGN-Proposals-for-the-2011-Gwangju-Biennale

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