Space Travel on the Cheap

What’s it take to get into space?

To get to the edge of space, you could pay Richard Branson about $200k. But to actually travel into space, usually you have to be a highly trained astronaut… or slightly trained billionaire willing to pay the Russian space program a hefty fee. (Upward of $25 million.)

There is a budget option. The problem is, you won’t be around to enjoy the experience. For fees ranging from $12,500 to $18,750, you can have 1 gram of your cremated remains launched into orbit. The Houston-based company Celestis “piggybacks” the ashes in special containers aboard rockets propelling satellites to the heavens.

Unfortunately, the company’s track record isn’t all that great. They’ve had only seven flights since 1997. And two failed – i.e., blew up soon after the launch. (To be fair, they did offer to give the ashes priority placement on their next flight.)

(Source: Wired)

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