Houston company to launch 'Star Trek' actor's remains into space

[Cannikin]

Scotty to be ‘beamed up’ in October

NEW YORK - The remains of actor James Doohan, who played the starship Enterprise’s chief engineer ”Scotty” on “Star Trek,” will be blasted into space in October, the company organizing the flight said Monday.

The actor who inspired the catchphrase “Beam me up, Scotty” — even though it was never actually uttered on the show — died a year ago at the age of 85.

Houston-based commercial company Space Services originally planned to blast Doohan’s remains into space last year but the flight was delayed to allow more tests on the rocket.

Space Services spokeswoman Susan Schonfeld said the new launch date was set for October. Doohan’s ashes will be blasted up along with the remains of around 100 other people, including astronaut Gordon Cooper, who first went to space in 1963.

After a short flight the rocket will return to earth with the capsules holding the remains. A second flight in December or January will send a capsule containing Doohan’s remains into orbit where it will remain for several years, Schonfeld said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14014772/