American company Celestis, specializing in honoring the deceased by sending their remains into space, has opened bookings for its new project Mars300. The project aims to send human remains and DNA samples into orbit around Mars by 2030.
The project offers clients a unique opportunity to immortalize their loved ones in an unprecedented way, with a participation fee of $24,995 per person. A 10% deposit is available to secure a spot, though the company notes that seats are still limited.
Celestis confirmed that all payments will be processed through a dedicated, trusted, and insured escrow account until the launch provider and mission details are finalized.
Founded in Texas in 1997, Celestis has previously conducted space missions to transport human and animal remains into Earth's orbit. These missions have honored prominent figures from the film industry, such as legends from the Star Trek series, renowned space scientists, and even pets.
However, Mars300 marks the first attempt to place human remains in orbit around another planet, making it an unprecedented step in the history of private space travel.
The mission is scheduled to be launched as secondary cargo on a future cargo spacecraft heading to Mars. It will likely rely on SpaceX's Starship rocket, currently the only trusted option. The final timeline for the mission remains dependent on technical, financial, and logistical preparations.
Charles Chafer, the company's CEO, stated that the project represents "the next step for humanity towards the stars, combining science and exploration in a way that reflects humanity's destiny beyond Earth."
Despite the symbolic nature of the mission, it also sparks scientific discussions about protecting the space environment. COSPAR protocols require preventing the contamination of celestial bodies with Earth-based microbes, making strict adherence to standards for the mission's execution vital.
