Memorial Space Flight

In the pursuit of fulfilling the final wishes of a loved one, individuals often endeavor to honor unique requests. Such was the case for Angela Burke, whose specific desire for her ashes led her daughter, Terri Howard-Hughes, and son-in-law Clint to orchestrate a remarkable journey to space.

On January 8, 2024, at Cape Canaveral, Angela Burke’s posthumous wish materialized as her ashes embarked on a celestial odyssey aboard a Vulcan rocket. Reflecting on her mother’s philosophy, Hughes shared, “My mother learned very early that things are not important, it’s people.”

Describing her mother as kind, compassionate, and intellectually formidable, Hughes highlighted Burke’s academic achievements, including a Master’s and Doctorate in philosophy. Before her passing, Burke expressed an unconventional wish to journey into deep space. Hughes, though initially puzzled, embraced her mother’s playful spirit and adventurous disposition shared with her husband of 43 years.

The endeavor to fulfill Burke’s cosmic dream brought genuine joy to Hughes and her husband. Celestis, a Texas-based company specializing in memorial spaceflights since 1994, facilitated the transportation of Burke’s ashes. The shuttle, carrying the remains of 300 other departed individuals, launched from Cape Canaveral, including hair follicles from Presidents Washington, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan. Burke’s ashes shared space with the late Gene Roddenberry, the creator of “Star Trek.”

Reflecting on the launch, Clint described it as an almost religious experience, a once-in-a-lifetime event they yearned to witness. Hughes concluded, “It makes me happy to know that she’s up there literally watching over me, literally.”

_{Repurposed article originally published in UpWorthy}