I hope space is awesome, dad
April 11, 2024 6:09 AM Subscribe
My dad passed away today. He was a major outer space nerd. Is there some sort of way we could put his name/memory/something out into space?
A long time ago, he told me that he wished to have his body be sent to space when he dies. We talked about how if I ever get rich and famous, I could treat him to some sort of space travel thing like on Virgin Galactic. We swapped links about outer space news all the time. He was looking forward to the future where we could live on Mars. This man loved space to his core.
My dad is Muslim, so cremations are out of the question, though I don't think actually physically sending some part of his body to space is viable anyway. I know there are the occasional efforts to put your name on a NASA satellite or something - is there something currently open for this? I'd rather it be something legit than one of those "pay to name a star!" pseudo scams.
A long time ago, he told me that he wished to have his body be sent to space when he dies. We talked about how if I ever get rich and famous, I could treat him to some sort of space travel thing like on Virgin Galactic. We swapped links about outer space news all the time. He was looking forward to the future where we could live on Mars. This man loved space to his core.
My dad is Muslim, so cremations are out of the question, though I don't think actually physically sending some part of his body to space is viable anyway. I know there are the occasional efforts to put your name on a NASA satellite or something - is there something currently open for this? I'd rather it be something legit than one of those "pay to name a star!" pseudo scams.
Oh, creatrixtiara, I am so sorry to hear this.
I know you mentioned the schemes to "have a star named after you" seem lame, but if you did one (like this one, picked at random), you could etch the star's coordinates on his headstone. Which is...better than ignoring his passion?
posted by wenestvedt at 6:22 AM on April 11
I know you mentioned the schemes to "have a star named after you" seem lame, but if you did one (like this one, picked at random), you could etch the star's coordinates on his headstone. Which is...better than ignoring his passion?
posted by wenestvedt at 6:22 AM on April 11
Response by poster: I'm not sure I really have much ability to change his headstone, Muslim burials tend to be rather low-key.
One of the last things he'd say to people in his final years were “You all can go to heaven when you pass. I will go back to the earth, and the earth will eventually go back to the universe, and then I will become a star”.
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:33 AM on April 11 [29 favorites]
One of the last things he'd say to people in his final years were “You all can go to heaven when you pass. I will go back to the earth, and the earth will eventually go back to the universe, and then I will become a star”.
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:33 AM on April 11 [29 favorites]
I'm so sorry for your loss.
It's not as dramatic as putting something into space, but you can make memorial donations to the US Space and Rocket Center Education Foundation, which includes Space Camp and other educational programs. Someone in the future could go into space - or build the equipment that goes into space, which is arguably even more important - as part of your father's legacy.
You can also adopt an artifact the Foundation uses in their educational programs, if you'd like to do something ongoing.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:37 AM on April 11 [4 favorites]
It's not as dramatic as putting something into space, but you can make memorial donations to the US Space and Rocket Center Education Foundation, which includes Space Camp and other educational programs. Someone in the future could go into space - or build the equipment that goes into space, which is arguably even more important - as part of your father's legacy.
You can also adopt an artifact the Foundation uses in their educational programs, if you'd like to do something ongoing.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:37 AM on April 11 [4 favorites]
Could you make a bequest in his name to your local library, intended to be spent on materials related to space exploration? (If it's a larger sum, it can be spent in chunks over several years -- which is even better.)
Librarians can be picky about gifts of materials as-is, but if they can help direct a gift, it's often especially effective at expanding their collection or programs.
Adding his name to the plaque of donors would give it some permanence & visibility.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:57 AM on April 11
Librarians can be picky about gifts of materials as-is, but if they can help direct a gift, it's often especially effective at expanding their collection or programs.
Adding his name to the plaque of donors would give it some permanence & visibility.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:57 AM on April 11
Response by poster: He's Bangladeshi but was based in Malaysia up until his death at home, so if people know of specific space efforts in either country that accepts donations I'm all ears. I know Malaysia had a whole space program ages ago but I don't know if that's still a thing now.
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:59 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:59 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
It looks like Nasa is taking names for the next Mars mission, but I don't think there is a launch scheduled, this this is more for a future mission. It looks like they do this with most launches, so maybe try to get on a mailing list?
I can't find anything for the European Space Agency, but they must do something similar.
Tripoli Rocketry Association is an org for amateur rocketry, and their events regularly see rockets go much, much higher than anything I used to launch with an Estes kit. I would bet there's a way to contact them and see if one of their members would put his name on one of their rockets, or maybe make a donation in his honor for someone else who is passionate about space?
My condolences on your loss, and I hope you find a way to honor him that feels appropriate.
posted by Gorgik at 7:01 AM on April 11 [2 favorites]
I can't find anything for the European Space Agency, but they must do something similar.
Tripoli Rocketry Association is an org for amateur rocketry, and their events regularly see rockets go much, much higher than anything I used to launch with an Estes kit. I would bet there's a way to contact them and see if one of their members would put his name on one of their rockets, or maybe make a donation in his honor for someone else who is passionate about space?
My condolences on your loss, and I hope you find a way to honor him that feels appropriate.
posted by Gorgik at 7:01 AM on April 11 [2 favorites]
My condolences.
Thinking of this from the other direction, would he have appreciated maybe being buried with something that has been to the 'edge' of space? These folks at Earth to Sky send up small objects on high-altitude balloons, which they sell to fund their launches / research. (I have no personal connection with them.)
posted by inexorably_forward at 7:06 AM on April 11
Thinking of this from the other direction, would he have appreciated maybe being buried with something that has been to the 'edge' of space? These folks at Earth to Sky send up small objects on high-altitude balloons, which they sell to fund their launches / research. (I have no personal connection with them.)
posted by inexorably_forward at 7:06 AM on April 11
Condolences to you.
It will carry no astronomical significance because nobody will recognize the name in any official capacity, but there are businesses out there that will let you "name a star" and send you a nice certificate. In college, I did that for an old girlfriend who appreciated it. My mother-in-law did the same for me. Nice gesture, if nothing else.
posted by emelenjr at 8:30 AM on April 11
It will carry no astronomical significance because nobody will recognize the name in any official capacity, but there are businesses out there that will let you "name a star" and send you a nice certificate. In college, I did that for an old girlfriend who appreciated it. My mother-in-law did the same for me. Nice gesture, if nothing else.
posted by emelenjr at 8:30 AM on April 11
Response by poster: Burial has already happened (Muslim burials work quick) so no chance to bury anything with him alas. Down the road I might be able to leave something at his grave but I don't know the customs there.
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:38 AM on April 11
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:38 AM on April 11
My sincere condolences. I was coming to suggest naming a star, and saw that emelenjr already did. I think it's a lovely way to honor and remember someone who was a space nerd.
posted by Dolley at 9:12 AM on April 11
posted by Dolley at 9:12 AM on April 11
If possible, you could reach out to his Alma Mater or a school in the neighborhood where he lived, and offer to do something to encourage/support kids interested in space. If there’s no space camp in the area, then maybe a donation to the school of books, subscriptions, a telescope, or similar. Books could have a memoriam sticker inside with a brief description of your father and his love of space.
I’m sorry for your loss, creatrixtiara. He sounds like a wonderful person.
posted by bunderful at 9:15 AM on April 11 [4 favorites]
I’m sorry for your loss, creatrixtiara. He sounds like a wonderful person.
posted by bunderful at 9:15 AM on April 11 [4 favorites]
While I respect the idea of using a star naming service to memorialize him, do be aware that the International Astronomical Union (which is the most recognized body governing the naming of astronomical objects) does not recognize names sold via such services.
posted by Aleyn at 11:10 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
posted by Aleyn at 11:10 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
I am sorry for your loss.
NASA does thiis quite often.
Send your name with a spacecraft.
Examples are
Artemis
Viper
Europa
posted by yyz at 11:12 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
NASA does thiis quite often.
Send your name with a spacecraft.
Examples are
Artemis
Viper
Europa
posted by yyz at 11:12 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
I'm very sorry for your loss, and that was a lovely quote from him you shared, thank you. One "real" thing you might consider is a memorial broadcast of some kind, since the waves will continue out into space essentially indefinitely, eventually merging with the background noise of the whole universe. The Voyager record may serve as a source of inspiration for such a project.
posted by teremala at 11:13 AM on April 11
posted by teremala at 11:13 AM on April 11
Best answer: NASA is still accepting names for a trip to Mars.
SEND YOUR NAME TO MARS
posted by yyz at 11:17 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
SEND YOUR NAME TO MARS
posted by yyz at 11:17 AM on April 11 [1 favorite]
Our university has been tasked with launching small satellite packages and their next launch is in a year, you may be able to get their team to put some comments in the code loaded onto the satellite.
It could be worth reaching out to them!
https://albertasat.ca/
posted by Khazk at 11:36 AM on April 11 [5 favorites]
It could be worth reaching out to them!
https://albertasat.ca/
posted by Khazk at 11:36 AM on April 11 [5 favorites]
Part of this is just grieving. My daughter has a star named after her. I know it’s not really a thing but it comforts me and honours her.
Another idea is to memorialize a park bench in your area (or his) that looks out over the sky. There’s a program in my city (for trees too); there might be one in yours or a space program adjacent one.
I’m sorry for your loss.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:05 PM on April 11 [2 favorites]
Another idea is to memorialize a park bench in your area (or his) that looks out over the sky. There’s a program in my city (for trees too); there might be one in yours or a space program adjacent one.
I’m sorry for your loss.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:05 PM on April 11 [2 favorites]
YES! Space burials are a thing, the main commercial company is Celestis which sends ashes.
For a space related memorial, there is The Mars Society where perhaps you can help sponsor the upcoming conference, or a habitat simulation. There's also supporting the non profitThe Space Show, which has had over 4,000 episodes, including interviews with Musk, Shotwell, and many astronauts.
Teachers in Space is another worthy org (I was in a NYC L-5/NSS chapter with the founder).
posted by Sophont at 6:57 PM on April 11 [1 favorite]
For a space related memorial, there is The Mars Society where perhaps you can help sponsor the upcoming conference, or a habitat simulation. There's also supporting the non profitThe Space Show, which has had over 4,000 episodes, including interviews with Musk, Shotwell, and many astronauts.
Teachers in Space is another worthy org (I was in a NYC L-5/NSS chapter with the founder).
posted by Sophont at 6:57 PM on April 11 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I've sent his name to Mars (yyz's idea). Knowing him, he probably has already done it himself, but no harm in getting a double boarding pass.
As mentioned before: can't do cremations, he's been buried already as per Islamic rules in Malaysia. I'll see if leaving things at his grave is an option, then maybe I'll find some space rock or something.
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:15 PM on April 11 [3 favorites]
As mentioned before: can't do cremations, he's been buried already as per Islamic rules in Malaysia. I'll see if leaving things at his grave is an option, then maybe I'll find some space rock or something.
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:15 PM on April 11 [3 favorites]
I am sorry for your loss.
Something came to mind: there is a charity here in the UK called scopes4SEN. It is a project “to bring something of the wonder and majesty of space to children.” Here is an article. The organisation supplies telescopes and similar equipment to schools and hospitals where students have special educational needs. I appreciate this is not sending your late father into space but it is a way of allowing people to dream, who might not otherwise get to, and could be a fitting tribute or legacy for someone who loves space. You might be able to find something similar more local to you.
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 5:36 AM on April 12 [1 favorite]
Something came to mind: there is a charity here in the UK called scopes4SEN. It is a project “to bring something of the wonder and majesty of space to children.” Here is an article. The organisation supplies telescopes and similar equipment to schools and hospitals where students have special educational needs. I appreciate this is not sending your late father into space but it is a way of allowing people to dream, who might not otherwise get to, and could be a fitting tribute or legacy for someone who loves space. You might be able to find something similar more local to you.
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 5:36 AM on April 12 [1 favorite]
I think many of the CLPS missions are taking names to the Moon, though it looks like you missed the deadline for the VIPER rover by a few weeks. Meteorites are readily available to purchase, but a more personal option would be to try to find one yourself.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 12:39 PM on April 12
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 12:39 PM on April 12
I’m sorry for your loss, creatrixtiara. I love your dad’s perspective on the infinity of our human presence in the universe.
Contact information for the Malaysian Space Agency is here; contact information for Bangladesh’s Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization is here. I wonder if sending an email to them with your questions might give you both an “official” answer, and also a window into something they’re working on that your dad’s legacy of love for the cosmos might inspire. For example, if they run school-based education programs, would they appreciate a few of his old telescopes to turn into models for classroom visits?
Wishing you peace and comfort.
posted by mdonley at 8:12 PM on April 12 [1 favorite]
Contact information for the Malaysian Space Agency is here; contact information for Bangladesh’s Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization is here. I wonder if sending an email to them with your questions might give you both an “official” answer, and also a window into something they’re working on that your dad’s legacy of love for the cosmos might inspire. For example, if they run school-based education programs, would they appreciate a few of his old telescopes to turn into models for classroom visits?
Wishing you peace and comfort.
posted by mdonley at 8:12 PM on April 12 [1 favorite]
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posted by nickggully at 6:13 AM on April 11 [6 favorites]