MASPHEE, Mass. — A Cape Cod man’s dying wish is finally becoming a reality – and it’s truly out of this world.
David Lavender of Mashpee suddenly died in 2021. Since the age of 5, he always dreamt of being an astronaut.
His only child, Melanie Sharrow, shared his passion.
“My dad just brought me up with this love for space exploration,” she told Boston 25 Sunday. “He would watch documentaries. He would read books. He would watch shows, and I loved that. I’d be right there with him.”
She added, “He wanted to have his ashes launched into space.”
Sharrow, who now lives in Texas, didn’t think it was possible until she found Celestis.
The company that’s been in operation for more than 30 years offers rare opportunities for loved ones to reserve a spot on a satellite or rocket for the ashes or remains of their loved ones.
“It’s a special celebration,” said Charles Chafer, the company’s cofounder, and CEO. “You don’t see that much high-fiving at a funeral anywhere!”
The company has completed roughly 54 missions on multiple different spacecrafts where they can purchase space.
Celestis also holds a three-day service from the launch centers for family members to watch the liftoff.
He added, “It brings a lot of people closure.”
Some of Lavender’s remains were launched to space since his passing with Celestis, but his trip was cut short.
The launch to complete his space journey is scheduled towards the end of 2025. Part of his ashes held in a capsule will be on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 departing from Cape Canaveral, FL.
After those years, gravity will pull the satellite back to Earth.
Chafer explained, “The spacecraft comes into the atmosphere, and it burns up almost like a shooting star.
Sharrow will be able to track her father’s journey on his phone and will know when he returns to Earth.
She finished, “We’re going out with a bang.”
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