Famous roddenberry The family is heading towards the final frontier.
DNA of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife Majel Barrett-Roddenberryand that of their son, Rod, will be launched Jan. 8 on the first liftoff of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket.
The flight’s main objectives are to send the special Peregrine lunar lander to Earth’s nearest neighbor and demonstrate that Vulcan Centaur is ready for prime time. But Houston space commemoration company Celestis has also booked a spot on the rocket for a mission it calls Enterprise Flight.
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The memorial flight includes preserved DNA samples from Rod and his late parents, as well as the cremated remains, memory files and DNA capsules of “Star Trek” icons Nichelle “Uhura” Nichols, James “Scotty” Doohan and DeForest “Bones” Kelley.
Also released on January 8 will be the DNA of George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, along with Academy Award-winning special effects legend Douglas Trumbull (“2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”). ), and others. Genetic material from ULA CEO Tory Bruno and his wife Rebecca will also be on board. These samples will be transported to deep space beyond the Earth-Moon system.
Space.com oversees Roddenberry Entertainment and served as executive producer on “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” “Star Trek: Prodigy” and “Star Trek: Prodigy.” He spoke with Rod Roddenberry, who made Trek: Strange New Worlds” — at the height of the holiday rush. He tells us how he booked his ticket to the stars, what his famous “Star Trek” parents would think of this exotic adventure, and what Christmas time was like in the Roddenberry household when Rod was growing up in sunny Los Angeles.
Space.com: “Star Wars” is often associated with summer fun, “Star Trek” with Christmas time; That’s not only because many “Star Trek” movies are released around the holidays, but also because of the franchise’s forward-looking focus and reflective themes. Have you ever thought about the connection to Christmas and how you view the two science fiction giants?
Rod Roddenberry: I love it when I hear something new about “Star Trek” and now I can make up my own reasons based on that. There’s giving, family, closeness and hopefully a little more wit in Christmas. Summer is more action and games, i.e. “Star Wars.” This is a great thought. I didn’t get to spend much time with it, but I liked it.
Space.com: How did you and your family make the decision to add your DNA to Celestis Enterprise Flight?
Roddenberry: This all started in the 90’s with my mom and Charles Chafer of Celestis. He promised her that he would scatter my father’s ashes, and it took a while, but he did. He then promised to fly the two of them together, and this continued for many years.
As we know, it is not easy to make space on these rockets, especially those that go out of orbit. So this is incredible and very symbolic. “Who else should be launched into space other than the people who created and contributed to Star Trek?” The slogan is: “Where no one has gone before.” Gene Roddenberry, his essence, Majel Roddenberry and my DNA, along with others, will truly go where no one has gone before.
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Space.com: What was the process of giving your DNA to Celestis?
Roddenberry: It was very simple. It’s basically a Q-tip, a test tube, and some chemicals that help protect your DNA. Just circle the inside of your mouth, insert it into the tube, close the lid, put it in a addressed envelope and you’re done. They do the science and it becomes DNA.
Space.com: Will you be attending the live launch on January 8? Kennedy Space Center?
Roddenberry: It is 100% my intention to do this. That’s all except I guarantee I’ll be there.
Space.com: What would Mom and Dad think of a commemorative Enterprise Flight?
Roddenberry: It’s hard to speak for them, but I can make some assumptions that I think are pretty accurate. My father was ahead of his time, and while I don’t know if he specifically thought this would happen, I don’t think he would have been surprised to see bodies or remains sent into space in a symbolic gesture. I think being put down is symbolic. Being burned is symbolic.
Everything you do with your physical remains when you are gone, to me, is symbolic and has meaning for the person and their family. So I think they’ll both find this very appropriate for their remains. Who else should live in the cosmos? Even though it’s symbolic. These are Majel and Gene Roddenberry.
Space.com. There is a synchronicity with this upcoming Celestis mission; This is occurring not only at a time when “Star Trek” is growing in popularity, but also at a time when the new space economy is thriving alongside NASA. Artemis I dream of returning to the moon in 2024/25. Why is this the ideal time for Corporate Flight?
Roddenberry: This is a very opportune moment for this to happen. “Star Trek” is experiencing a rebirth and renaissance. I’m not sure how long it will take. Of course I hope forever. They’ve done a great job of recognizing that there are multiple audiences out there and that there are ways to reach larger audiences and younger demographics. They learn something from everything that doesn’t work. This is the perfect time for the creator of “Star Trek” to be launched into deep space, as well as for my mother and all the other people who contributed to “Star Trek” or are important in our humanity who will be on board. evolution.
Space.com: What has been the most rewarding aspect of seeing “Star Trek” evolve over the past five years?
Roddenberry: There’s a new generation of people working on “Star Trek.” Many of them grew up with “Star Trek” and are fans in their own way. So what was different from the generation in the 80s and 90s was that most of these people were studio personnel working in the entertainment industry. Sure, some may have loved and appreciated “The Original Series,” but many were just working in those positions because it was doing their job.
This new era of people contributing to the show are passionate about it. They’re trying to tease apart what makes “Star Trek” more than just a sci-fi TV show. I think the caliber of people working on “Star Trek” today is more helpful than in previous years because they care about it. I’m not saying no one cared before. Many understand this and really want it to be great; not to get paid, but because “Star Trek” is supposed to be great.
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Space.com: What “Star Trek” projects are you excited about as we head into 2024?
Roddenberry: I’m really excited to see more of “The Prodigy” now streaming on Netflix. I thought this was an incredibly well-done show, not only for kids but for adults as well. It was one of the most real “Star Treks”, which made “Star Trek” different from other science fiction. This had a lot to do with ethics and morality and what it meant to be part of something better, like Starfleet.
I’m way off on “Star Trek.” If it doesn’t make you consider a different point of view, or offer a unique perspective that you haven’t considered, or make you question your own views on things, then I don’t think it’s doing its job. It’s supposed to be fun anyway. But if this is just entertainment then this isn’t the right “Star Trek”. “Star Trek” is supposed to challenge you on some level. If you don’t think after watching an episode of “Star Trek,” it’s not my “Star Trek.”
Space.com: What are your childhood Christmas memories of your favorite space toys you received while growing up in Los Angeles?
Roddenberry: My memories of Christmas are incredibly fond because my mother was a Christmas fanatic. We had a huge 17 meter area [5.2 meters] The Christmas tree in our living room. He decorated the whole house with lights. When Christmas approached, it felt like Christmas.
Believe it or not, I grew up on “Star Wars,” “GI Joe” and “Transformers.” I didn’t collect a lot of “Star Wars” stuff, but I remember buying the Millennium Falcon one year, I wish I still had it today because it’s such a valuable piece.