Space Launch of Keepsakes: Pet Franz’s Journey into Orbit

This weekend, the beloved dog Franz, a yellow Labrador, will undertake a final adventure—far beyond Earth’s atmosphere. His cremated remains are set to be part of the inaugural Perseverance Flight launched by Texas-based Celestis Inc., scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The spacecraft, a SpaceX Falcon 9, will carry 166 tiny capsules composed of titanium and aluminum, each filled with either DNA or cremated remains of loved ones. These capsules, about a quarter to a half-inch long, will be released into low Earth orbit, completing two orbits at incredible speeds of up to 17,000 mph. The entire mission is expected to last around three hours before the rocket re-enters the atmosphere and lands in the Pacific Ocean, between Alaska and Hawaii. A recovery ship will retrieve the payload for families’ return within two months.

After the launch, Franz’s owner, Harvin Moore, shared that sending their dog into space was a fitting tribute, especially given the family’s love for space. Franz, who passed away at age 13 in October 2020, was more like a sibling to Moore’s children, Elizabeth and Quinn. “He was the best dog—soft, loving, and always wanting hugs,” Moore said.

Families have paid approximately $3,500 to send their loved ones’ ashes and DNA into space, a price Moore jokingly noted was more than what Franz cost, but fitting for a space enthusiast. The launch symbolizes a meaningful transition from grief to celebration, allowing loved ones to honor those who dreamed of reaching the stars.

Notably, the flight will include the remains of Wesley Dreyer, an aerospace engineer involved in investigating the Challenger disaster, as well as DNA from a three-year-old German boy, offering a personal and historic touch to this celestial journey.