Ashes of Nichelle Nichols, Lieutenant Uhura from ‘Star Trek’, will be sent into space

Reuters

The late American actress Nichelle Nichols, better known as Lieutenant Uhura from the series “Star Trek” (also known in Brazil as “Star Trek”), will be the newest member of the 1960s television series to take part in their remains transported to space.

Nichols, who died on July 30 at age 89, is regarded as a key player in helping to break racial stereotypes and redefine Hollywood roles for black actors at the height of the US civil rights movement. She was one of the first black women to portray an empowered character on television.

Now, it has been added to the posthumous passenger manifest of a rocket that will carry a collection of vials containing cremated ashes and DNA samples from dozens of space enthusiasts on a final, eternal journey around the sun, according to organizers of the event. homage. The release date has not yet been set.

Among the “Star Trek” cast members and executives who have had their remains hurled into space are James Doohan, who played the series’ chief engineer Scotty, and “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry.

Also released will be the remains of Roddenberry’s wife Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, who played nurse Christine Chapel in the series, and renowned sci-fi visual effects artist Douglas Trumbull, whose work has been featured in films such as “2001: The Odyssey”. in Space” and “Star Trek: The Movie”.