This startup will send 1,000 people’s ashes to space — affordably — in 2027

Ryan Mitchell, the visionary behind a fresh startup called Space Beyond, found his inspiration while gazing at the stars during a camping trip. With a background as a manufacturing engineer who contributed to NASA's space shuttle program and nearly a decade at Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, Mitchell had witnessed a significant reduction in space access costs, largely thanks to competitors like SpaceX. The pivotal moment came during a family member's ash-spreading ceremony, which left him pondering how to improve the experience. "When it was over, we were kind of like, 'now what?' The moment was gone," he recalled. This introspection laid the groundwork for Space Beyond and its unique "Ashes to Space" initiative, designed to transport the ashes of up to 1,000 individuals aboard a CubeSat, a compact satellite type. On Thursday, Space Beyond revealed it has secured a launch agreement with Arrow Science & Technology to integrate its CubeSat with a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission set for October 2027. While the concept of sending ashes to space isn't novel—companies like Celestis have been offering similar services since the 1990s—Space Beyond differentiates itself by providing this service at a significantly lower cost, starting at just $249. Mitchell explained that their affordability stems from several factors, including the ride-share model that has made space access more accessible. This model allows small CubeSats to join larger missions for a fraction of the cost, paving the way for innovative scientific and commercial endeavors. Additionally, Space Beyond operates on a bootstrapped model, prioritizing accessibility over high investor returns. "I’ve been told I’m not charging enough for this service," he acknowledged, recognizing the often exorbitant costs associated with the funeral industry. However, there are limitations to the service. Each customer can send only one gram of ashes, which helps accommodate the number of participants while adhering to weight restrictions enforced by launch providers like SpaceX. The CubeSat will remain in orbit for approximately five years, after which it will burn up upon re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, a symbolic end that Mitchell describes as a fitting farewell. The CubeSat will be positioned in a “sun-synchronous orbit” at a height of about 550 kilometers (approximately 341 miles), enabling it to traverse the globe. Customers will be able to track its location through modern spacecraft tracking services, allowing them to spot the CubeSat as it passes overhead. Importantly, Space Beyond will not physically scatter ashes in space to prevent creating debris that could jeopardize other missions. Mitchell's journey to establish Space Beyond began after he left Blue Origin last year, igniting a flurry of ideas in his notebook. Despite his initial hesitations about the viability of his plan, he found himself drawn back to this concept, which resonated deeply with him. As he puts it, "Every time I applied actual engineering rigor to it, it just made sense." His wife even noted his obsession with the project, stating, "I could have told you that weeks ago. You can’t stop talking about this." With Space Beyond, Mitchell blends innovation and compassion, offering a heartfelt way for people to honor their loved ones in the final frontier.