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Scotty's Final Mission

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the best-way-to-go dept.

Jane Q. Public writes "According to Ars Technica, the ashes of James Doohan, who played "Scotty" in the original 'Star Trek' series and several movies, were aboard the SpaceX III launch and were lost when the launch vehicle failed." Which totally wouldn't have happened if Scotty was the engineer.

Update: 08/05 00:09 GMT by KD : BoingBoing has a tribute to Doohan from his son.

5 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Rest in Peace, Mr. Doohan by querist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In a strange way, I see it as a fitting end to Mr. Doohan's physical form. He inspired countless young people to pursue careers in the sciences, and then, even after leaving this world, continues to inspire.

    I know that the body is not the person, and I would like to think that his spirit lives on. At least in this way he can be thought of as being everywhere. Scotty was a fictional character, but through that character James Doohan inspired so many people to believe in themselves.

    Rest in Peace, Mr. Doohan. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

  2. Gordon "Gordo" Cooper by nbvb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It is absolutely depressing to me that everyone shows some concern over the ashes of an ACTOR, but ignores the fact that a TRUE SPACE HERO (Gordo Cooper), one of the Mercury 7, was onboard. .... yikes.

    1. Re:Gordon "Gordo" Cooper by King_TJ · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think you make a valid point. Gordo Cooper is certainly worthy of mention, if someone is going to cover this story.

      But "absolutely depressing"? I don't come away with that, myself. Star Trek was a HUGELY popular TV show, that thrived against all odds at the time. For a while there, props were literally being created from stuff dug out of garbage dumpsters, due to a lack of funds. Its creator had a real vision and message of hope to express. It wasn't just another crappy sit-com cranked out to make a buck or two. It,arguably, did more to spark people's imaginations about the possibilities for space travel than anything else at the time. I can't prove it, but I sure would't be at all surprised to find that many of NASA's current and former employees would list Star Trek as one of their inspirations growing up.

  3. Re:Turning in his Somewhat Charred Grave by courtarro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Chances of ash survival are probably slim.

    Since they're already the products of combustion, it's pretty likely the ashes survived. Unfortunately, they'd probably be pretty tough to find.

  4. They wanted to save him but - by RevWaldo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "NO! You'll flood the whole compartment!"
    "He'll die in there!"
    "Elon! He's dead already.."


    James Doohan - RIP

    --
    Prisencolinensinainciusol. Ol Rait!