James Doohan
Ashes of the "Star Trek" star hidden on the ISS
"Star Trek" actor James Doohan died in 2005.
© imago images / Ronald Grant
James Doohan aka "Star Trek" chief engineer Scotty had his last great wish granted. His ashes were hidden on the ISS.
"Star Trek" actor James Doohan (1920-2005) has found his final resting place in a dignified place. After his remains were brought into space for a short time in 2005, it has now been revealed that some of his ashes have been on the International Space Station since 2008. Millionaire Richard Garriott (59), an American computer game developer and space tourist, smuggled the ashes into space on a "completely secret" mission.
A delicate undertaking
As the 59-year-old now told "The Times", he was a private astronaut on a 12-day mission. His destination: the ISS. Previously, he was in contact with Doohan's son Chris (61), who told him about his late father's last wish. Garriott finally received part of the ashes in the mail, which he had laminated onto three small commemorative cards with Doohan's photo on them. A risky venture.
Because, as Garriott explained, everything that officially goes on board must be "logged, inspected and packaged". If the commemorative cards had been discovered in his luggage, it would certainly have caused "a little bit of trouble," he said. Where are the cards today? Garriott threw one into space and hid a second under the floor covering of the ISS. You can still find it there today. The third card hangs framed in Doohan's California home.
James Doohan became known to Star Trek viewers as Scotty, chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise. In 2005, the Canadian actor died of pneumonia at the age of 85.