STAR Trek legend James Doohan’s ashes were blasted into space today after the first commercial rocket was launched into the sky.
The actor, who played Scotty in the hit TV series, died in July 2005 at the age of 85.
A first attempt to send his ashes into the orbit in 2008 was unsuccessful after the rocket carrying them failed.
Now his remains are among those of 300 people who will find their final resting place among the stars.
The lift-off of the Falcon 9 early on Tuesday morning marks the first time a commercial supply ship is making its way toward the International Space Station.
The rocket is carrying a capsule — named Dragon — that holds 1,000lbs of provisions.
Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX funded the mission, wrote online: “Dragon in orbit... Feels like a giant weight just came off my back."
Musk, 40, poured millions of his own money into the project co-funded by NASA to the tune of £241million. He is also chief designer of the mission.
The launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US, was quickly followed by congratulations from the White House.
John Holdren, President Obama’s chief science adviser, said: “Every launch into space is a thrilling event, but this one is especially exciting.
“This expanded role for the private sector will free up more of NASA’s resources to do what NASA does best — tackle the most demanding technological challenges in space, including those of human space flight beyond low Earth orbit.”
And NASA administrator Charles Bolden said: “The significance of this day cannot be overstated.
“It’s a great day for America. It’s actually a great day for the world because there are people who thought that we had gone away. Today says, ‘No, we’re not going away at all.”’
Dragon reaches the vicinity of the ISS on Thursday where it will practice manoeuvres from a mile away before docking on Friday.
