Washington: A company in the US, founded by a NASA engineer, is offering the unique option of sending a loved one`s remains into space - but it will set you back USD 1,995.

The Elysium Space company allows people to send a portion of their loved one`s remains into orbit.

Customers can deposit a portion of the departed person`s cremated remains in a special capsule which is then sent into space via an Elysium spacecraft for a "memorial spaceflight."

Once the capsule is sent into orbit, people can track the remains by following the rocket`s progress via a specially designed app. After a few months the rocket renters the Earth`s atmosphere and burns up.

The Elysium Space company was founded by Thomas Civeit who has plenty of experience with space missions, and has worked on NASA mission with the Hubble Space Telescope.

The next launch is scheduled for summer 2014. However, currently, the company only accepts orders from the US.

PTI