Remains of Scotty headed for space

Quote:5332 tribute messages to James Doohan have been posted!

I've been reading the tributes to Jimmy from all over the world, he touched so many people in so many ways, I feel so sorry for those who will never have the chance to experience what a wonderful person he was. 

You're forever in my heart...

Remains of Star Trek's 'Scotty' Headed for Space

Jimmy, few people in my life who have meant as much to me as you did. I cherish every minute of our 30+ year friendship & words can never truely express what it meant to me, how, no matter how much time passed between visits, it seemed as if we had only just parted when we met again. I miss you...will always miss you and rarely a day passes that I don't find myself being reminded of something you did, said, or we shared. I love you Jimmy...you'll always hold a special place in my heart.
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500 words...that was what was allowed to say good-bye to someone who touched my life in more ways then I could begin to describe. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Jimmy, I cherish the memories most of out last visit together, knowing he trusted me enough to share his fears at his illness and that it was his wish that I spend that weekend at his side. My only regret is that I wasn't able to say my final good-byes...at least through the below website I can find some solace in knowing that at least some of my feelings will accompany him on his final journey.

I will love you forever...and miss you until I join you in death.

Updated: 06:32 PM EDT
Remains of Star Trek's 'Scotty' Headed for Space

James "Scotty" Doohan's remains are being launched into space, according to his wishes.

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 14) - Evidently "Star Trek" actor James "Scotty" Doohan took the catch phrase "beam me up" very seriously -- his cremated remains will be launched into space in accordance with his last wishes.

Commercial space flight operator Space Services Inc. will launch the late actor's remains into space aboard its Explorers Flight on Dec. 6, a company spokeswoman said Friday.

She said the remains of more than 120 others will be aboard the flight, including those of an unidentified astronaut and Mareta West, the astrogeologist who determined the site forthe first spacecraft landing on the moon.

Space Services spokeswoman Susan Schonfeld declined to identify the astronaut whose cremated remains will be launched into space. She said the name would be announced the day of the launch.

Doohan, who portrayed feisty chief engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott on the "Star Trek" television series, died in July at age 85.

One of Scotty's chief functions on the show was to operate the devise used to transport fellow crew members onto the starship Enterprise from other space vessels or planets, often in response to a request to "beam" them aboard. The phrase entered the pop cultre as "beam me up, Scotty," though it was never uttered exactly that way on the show.

To mark the flight into his final frontier, Doohan's family will hold a service for fans on a 60-acre site near Vandenberg Air Force Base north of Los Angeles the day of the launch to pay tribute to him. Some fans are expected to attend in the formal white suit of a Star Fleet commander.

"I can't think of a more fitting send-off than having some of his fans attend this, his final journey," his widow, Wende Doohan, said in an open invitation to the service.

"Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry also had his remains shot into space after his death in 1991. They returned to Earth in 2002, Schonfeld said.

Doohan's cremated remains will be packed into a special tube that is ejected from the rocket and expected to orbit Earth for about 50 to 200 years before plunging into the planet's atmosphere and burning up.

Fans can post tributes to Doohan at the Space Services Web site (http://www.spaceservicesinc.com). Those messages will be digitized, packed with "Scotty" and blasted into space.

Additional reporting by Arthur Spiegelman
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From Spaceservices.inc

Tribute to James Doohan

1920-2005

Space Services Inc. is honored have renowned actor James Doohan aboard the Explorers Flight-- our sixth MemorialSpaceflight.

We invite friends and fans around the world to compose a tribute to Mr. Doohan, to honor him on his journey to Earth orbit. Your name and message will be placed on board the spacecraft currently scheduled for launch in mid December, 2005. Please enter your message below.

You are also invited to attend a public memorial service, scheduled the day before the launch at the Space Endeavor Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Additional details will soon be available on this site or via our email newsletter.

Below is an invitation from Ms. Wende Doohan to all of James Doohan's friends and fans.

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Fans and Friends:

Jimmy absolutely adored playing the role of Scotty on Star Trek. He promoted space exploration and travel where ever he went. He would have given almost anything to be able to actually go into space. When asked if he would ever ride the Space Shuttle, with a twinkle in his eye he replied, “In a heartbeat!!”

He finally gets his wish, through the efforts of Space Services, Inc., as his remains will be launched on their Falcon I rocket. The actual launch date is yet to be posted.

Jimmy so thoroughly enjoyed his fans, from all walks of life, from around the world. He spent a lot of time listening to them, and how he, or the character of Scotty might have influenced their lives. He regretted not being able to spend enough time with them.

I can’t think of a more fitting send off than having some of his fans attend this, his final journey. If you wish to send a few words of tribute, they will be digitized and sent with Jimmy, as part of the payload on this launch.

For those who wish to attend the launch, you are more than welcome. And for those who can’t, just look to the heavens on launch date and know that you are sharing a WorldWide Memorial for James “Scotty” Doohan.

Most Sincerely,

Wende C. Doohan