Late Star Trek Actress Nichelle Nichols Will Have Her Ashes Sent To Space

You didn’t have to be alive in the 1960s to know who Nichelle Nichols was. You may not have known her by her real name but you did know her by her character, Lieutenant Uhura on the original Star Trek series.

Unfortunately, Nichols passed away on July 30, 2022, and people around the world mourned her passing.

Now that some time has passed, her son, Kyle Johnston, has made quite a gesture by donating some of her ashes. Those ashes are set to be launched into space, using the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.

Nichols didn’t get started on Star Trek, but was on Broadway and even in musical theater. Although she is best known as Lt. Uhura, she really paved the way for many other black female actresses who would later dominate in many shows on TV.

Something else that is interesting about her career is the fact that she and William Shatner, who played the role of Capt. Kirk, shared the first interracial kiss on television. It was quite a moment and one that is still remembered today.

Anyone who would like to contribute to paying tribute to this iconic actress can do so on the Celestis website.

Anything that is contributed in the form of writing, media, or art will be digitized and taken on the “Enterprise Flight” space voyage. That voyage is meant to honor many of the icons from Star Trek, including the creator, Gene Roddenberry, and others who have passed from the show.