Remains Of Stamford Native, Star Trek Fan To Be Launched Into Space

STAMFORD, CT — Bobby Moran is boldly going where few have gone before.

The remains of Moran, a Stamford native and Star Trek fan, will be launched into space soon by Celestis Memorial Space Flights, a private company established in 1994.

The flight, named Aurora, was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning, but it was scrubbed scrubbed by Up Aerospace, the launch provider, and NASA.

The next launch opportunities for the flight will be available from Dec. 9 to Dec. 13.

Moran was born in Stamford on Oct. 30, 1954, according to his obituary. He moved with his family to Florida in 1956, and eventually came back to the Northeast, settling in North Bergen, N.J., in the 1980's, his obituary said.

Moran died suddenly on Feb. 13, 2021.

Celestis was created to make the dream of spaceflight a reality by launching a symbolic portion of cremated remains or DNA samples into the cosmos.

There are various packages and experiences to choose from.

The Earth Rise package starts at $2,495 and launches to space and returns back to earth.

The Luna package can launch to the moon's surface or orbit, and starts at $12,500. The Voyager experience goes into deep space and also starts at $12,500. Each participant's flown flight capsule is returned to family members as a keepsake.

Aurora is the ninth Celestis Earth Rise service, and will take place on a UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL launch vehicle, according to the Celestis website.

The flight will "check off a dream imagined since childhood," according to Moran's memorial page on the Celestis website.

"After all, space is the ultimate final frontier. Surely, I would have preferred to experience it alive, but 'C’est la vie,'" the memorial reads.

Moran was a fan of the popular television series Star Trek, according to his memorial page.

"I remember my sister Bonnie and I were always trying to finagle our parents so we could stay up past our bedtime to watch Star Trek. Oh, how I longed for a Transporter and a Food Synthesizer. The epitome of my kind of convenience," the memorial reads. "Most importantly, the vast experience and knowledge obtained through space travel is awe-inspiring. I had just finished watching Season One of Star Trek Discovery and was really looking forward to Season Two & Three. As you can see, my plans have been severely derailed."

Celestis President Colby Youngblood said the company is "deeply honored" to help Moran achieve his dream of spaceflight.

"This memorial spaceflight will be the perfect tribute for a space enthusiast like Bobby," Youngblood said.

A special flight from Celestis is scheduled for early 2023.

Enterprise will launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., and travel beyond the earth-moon system, beyond the James Webb telescope, and into interplanetary deep space on a never-ending journey.

Aboard the flight will be Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and his wife Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and cast members of the original Star Trek, such as Nichelle Nichols and James "Scotty" Doohan.