Have you ever wanted to go to space, but never had the chance while you were alive? Let your loved ones know that opportunity for space travel doesn’t end when you die. A Houston based aerospace company called Celestis has helped families honor the memory of loved ones through unique post-cremation memorial spaceflights.

The Earth Rise Service

Celestis runs various spaceflight services and packages that you can choose from. Starting with the basic “Earth Rise Service”, for $995 you can affordably launch a symbolic portion (1 gram) of your loved one’s cremated remains into space, and after experiencing the zero gravity environment, the individual flight capsules and modules return back to Earth. The capsule or module is returned to the family or loved one as a keepsake. The next Earth Rise Service mission, The Centennial Flight is scheduled for launch on October 10th, 2012 and is still open for reservations.

The Earth Orbit Service

The next tier of space travel is known as the “Earth Orbit Service” and features the cremated remains venturing into the final frontier as part of a real space mission, riding alongside a commercial or scientific satellite. The Celestis spacecraft is placed in Earth orbit where it remains until it reenters the atmosphere, harmlessly vaporizing like a shooting star in final tribute. The length of time the spacecraft remains in orbit depends on a variety of factors: orbital altitude, the shape of the spacecraft, etc. Previous Celestis missions are estimated to remain in Earth orbit between 10 years to 240 years. Specific launch information is provided to you after the launch occurs and the spacecraft completes one successful orbit. This package will run you a total of $2,995.

The Luna Service

Pre-planning is now available for the “Luna Service” which reaches out to Earth’s nearest neighbor for a uniquely compelling location to remember a special life. Celestis has reached an agreement to launch payloads containing human cremated remains to the surface of the moon as early as 2014. This service was inaugurated in 1999 when, at the request of NASA, Celestis assisted the colleagues and loved ones of Dr. Eugene Shoemaker to place a portion of his cremated remains aboard the NASA Lunar Prospector mission. The Luna Service is estimated to cost about $10,000.

The Voyager Service

The premier “Voyager Service” is the ultimate voyage through deep space, and there is no return to Earth. The Voyager Service launches your loved one on a voyage through deepest space, leaving the Earth-Moon system on a permanent celestial journey. The first expected launch mission is slated for late 2015. Voyager missions truly offer an opportunity to be at one with the cosmos, on a mission of exploration and discovery. This premier package will run you about $12,500.

For more information, visit the Celestis website!