A memorial spaceflight carrying the ashes of 166 individuals, along with a symbolic batch of cannabis seeds, ended in tragedy after the capsule crashed into the Pacific Ocean following a re-entry anomaly, according to statements from the mission operators.
The Nyx shuttle, launched by The Exploration Company, crashed into the Pacific Ocean, losing the remains of more than 166 people — and a stash of cannabis seeds.
The mission, dubbed “Mission Possible,” was launched on June 23 by The Exploration Company (TEC), a German aerospace startup. The Nyx capsule, which marked TEC’s second-ever spaceflight, successfully reached orbit and completed two circuits around Earth before suffering a critical malfunction during its return journey.
The capsule’s contents, arranged by Texas-based space memorial company Celestis, included the cremated remains of individuals whose families had chosen an orbit-to-return space burial — the first of its kind for the company. Also on board was a payload of cannabis seeds and plant matter contributed by Martian Grow, a citizen science initiative that aims to explore the viability of cultivating cannabis on Mars.
While initial stages of the mission proceeded as planned, with TEC reporting that the Nyx capsule launched successfully, stabilized post-separation, and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere while briefly reestablishing communications, disaster struck just minutes before the expected splashdown. Communication was suddenly lost, and the capsule ultimately crashed into the Pacific Ocean, where its contents remain unrecovered.
“The root cause is under investigation, resulting in the Nyx capsule impacting the Pacific Ocean and dispersing its contents at sea,” wrote Celestis co-founder and CEO Charles M. Chafer in a statement on the company’s website. “As a result of this unforeseen event, we believe that we will not be able to recover or return the flight capsules aboard.”
TEC echoed the disappointment in a LinkedIn post, apologizing to customers and calling the mission a “partial success,” noting that despite the crash, the company achieved several technical milestones. “We have been pushing boundaries in record time and cost,” TEC said. “This partial success reflects both ambition and the inherent risks of innovation.”
For Celestis, the mission represented an ambitious step forward in space burials. Unlike their prior missions that sent ashes into deep space or left them in Earth orbit, this launch was intended to return the cremains to Earth — a symbolic journey of passage and return.
Chafer acknowledged the deep emotional significance of the mission to families involved. “While there were many successful milestones achieved — launch, orbit, and controlled reentry — this was the first Celestis mission designed to return from orbit, and we recognize the bravery and ambition it required from all involved,” he said.
“We also recognize that no technical achievement replaces the profound personal meaning this service holds for our families.”
He added that Celestis is in active communication with the affected families and is working to provide support and discuss possible next steps. In the meantime, he offered a poetic sense of solace: “We hope they find peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey — launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering.”
The inclusion of cannabis seeds on board — a nod to futuristic goals of extraterrestrial agriculture — added a unique twist to the mission. According to Popular Mechanics, the contribution from Martian Grow was part of a broader effort to promote open-access space science and experiment with the idea of farming plants on Mars.
Despite the loss, both TEC and Celestis emphasized their commitment to learning from the experience. TEC has pledged to refine its technology and launch again in the near future.
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