The late Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek will have her ashes sent into deep space. Courtesy of United Launch Alliance and their Vulcan Centaur mission, Nichols’ ashes will be joining that of several other stars related to the franchise as they blast off into space this upcoming winter season. Nichols’ ashes, in particular, will be placed into a “graveyard orbit” around the sun.
Aside from starring in Star Trek itself, Nichols actually did a lot of work with the NASA program. From 1977 to 2015, Nichols was responsible for helping NASA recruit a number of astronauts including women and minorities.
Nichelle Nichols’ ashes will be going into deep space this winter
Nichols recently passed away and, as such, received a lot of love and heartfelt tributes from her Star Trek co-stars. One of them included George Takei, who said, “I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”
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William Shatner also wrote, “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family.”
Nichols passed away in July 2022. She had been struggling with health issues years prior, including a dementia diagnosis. She ultimately died of heart failure at the age of 89.
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