SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 27: Ashes of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and his actress wife will blast toward the far reaches of the cosmos in keeping with the show’s famed opening line “Space, the final frontier”.

Majel Roddenberry died last month _ two months before her 77th birthday _ and will posthumously fulfil a “dream of journeying through space with her husband”, according to Celestis Inc, the US company behind the memorial flight.

Celestis sent some of Gene Roddenberry’s ashes into orbit around the earth in a premier Founders Flight rocket launch in 1997.

Gene Roddenberry died six years earlier with a wish to explore space in keeping with characters in his adventure television show that first aired in the late 1960s and still has a strong cult following. The rifle-cartridge sized canister of ashes, along with the remains of others onboard the rocket, was ostensibly burned into oblivion as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.

“We are deeply honoured to have flown Gene on our first mission, and to be entrusted by the Roddenberry family to fulfil Majel’s dream of flying in space with her husband,” said Celestis president Charles Chafer.

A launch date has yet to be determined.

Majel Roddenberry was remembered as “The First Lady of Star Trek” due to her close relationship to her husband and roles in many “Star Trek” film and television episodes.

She played Nurse Chapel in the “Star Trek” television shows and had parts in other classic programs including “Leave it to Beaver” and “The Lucy Show”.

“Star Trek” fans can visit the Celestis.com website to submit messages to accompany the couple into space.—AFP